The mage calls out as the one in charge arrives, "Sir, I noticed a pair of illusion spells in this area, two invisible creatures, one tried to approach me just now, hence the wall. They claim to be with the Silver Blaze." The leader calls out, "Who are you and what are you doing here?" But he trails off as he watches Velon soaring towards the village shortly followed by the others. He asks one of those with him, "Is that who I think it is?" "Sure looks like it."

In response to Velon's query, the leader hesitates for a moment, then waves most of his people off. "Sir Velon, I've heard much about your exploits, and those of your companions of course." He pulls a badge out of his surcoat, displaying the symbol of the Harpers. "I am known as Averill. We weren't expecting to see you for another couple of days. These two claim to be part of your company?" He jerks a thumb in Mari and Perry's general direction.

Unable to hide his smirk at the distorted sight of Perry through the ice, Lawrance wonders where Mari is through all this improptu introduction. %It seems you're recognizable on sight, Velon. That can be both useful and a detriment against our enemies.% 

Dropping his divine shield and tossing away his apple core, Velon approaches and reaches out to shake Averill’s hand.  “Good to meet you Averill.  Please, just Velon.  I’m not much more than the good company I am fortunate to keep here.”  He nods toward Lia, Poljen and the rest.

Regarding Perry and Mari, Velon looks in that direction and seems to be considering it.  He says “I don’t know” quietly to Averill before asking more loudly “Sir Pennington, are you still with us?”  He folds his arms, smiles, and winks at Averill. 

“My apologies.  We did not want to give you away, but had to verify which faction had replaced the villagers.  I trust they are safe then. We were not told any details of what precautions would be in place.  Perhaps we should keep this brief, as subtlety is not my strong suite, although I’m happy to talk as much as you’d like.  May we better assist you in this exchange in any way?”

 Mari frowns as the ice wall is put in place. Hearing the conversation she sheathes her short swords.   Pacing back and forth she waits for the wall to disappear.  " A little help here Pennington...." 

Poljen finally arrives, huffing and puffing from the long run.  He grins to see everyone now getting along.  He listens briefly then suggests, "We should still stay in our hidey-hole.  I am sure the Zhents, and other interested parties will also arrive early to scout."

The mage looks to the ice wall, and it disappears. Averill waves a hand towards the ship, "Yeah, they're just headed off on a paid vacation for a few weeks. It gives us the chance for excellent cover to wander around here without having to hide, and as a bonus it gets them out of harm's way if things go really badly. You're hidden over that way I take it, somewhere near the hill? I hope the cover is good. No offense, but you guys stand out."

Hesitating, he hands Velon a small stone with a glyph on it. "Here, we can use that to stay in touch from now on. Perhaps you had best get back to your blind, we can only hope that we're the only two groups that arrived quite this early."

Once the conversation wraps up, Lawrance suggests through the link %Do we want to hide our trail on the way back, so no one knows where our redoubt is? I could mask five of us into invisibility, but someone will need a different way of walking unseen% He asks, looking with a smile at Mari. 

  Mari walks towards the others when the wall drops.  She still has the appearance of a voluptuous redhead. Listening for the most part, she tries to catch any signs of them hiding something.   

  As Lawrance messages through the link she winks.  " I can make it back unseen.  Some of us dont rely on magic. As long as Perrington is careful we should be ok.   " 

Velon asks the others through the mental link “seems legit, does anyone have any concerns?”

Velon briefly feigns offense at Averill’s comment. “Please, I have mastered the art of subtlety!”  Velon smiles at him again.  “Yes we’ll go take cover and keep watch.  If you need anything just say the word.  Will you be checking the entire area for magic?  We could use the help.”

”Yes, please Lawrence, let’s cover our tracks.”

With a sibilant word and a quick pass of hand, all of the members of the Blaze except Mari and Perry suddenly vanish, leaving only foot prints. %Okay, let's carefully make our way back to the hide out, try not to bump into each other as we leave - it'll spoil the effect on the Harpers. I'll guide you as we go.% With that, Lawrance moves back towards the mound, watching all the others in the enhanced vision of his Robe, imparting direction so the group can move efficiently and rapidly. He makes a point of being last in the group, using the edges of his feet and robes to erase any footprints visible, grinning. 

"Should we walk close to the water line so the ocean will cover our tracks for us?  Then again, I probably weigh three or four hundred pounds so I may regret the soft sand..."

  Lia smiles and places her broom in Velon's hands. " Take this my love.  Your footprints are the most likely to show with the weight of your armor.  Don't crash now. " 

 Mari looks over to Perry. " Maybe we should stay here in the village until dark. Learn more about our new friends  and then we can walk in the water to avoid prints and not be seen.  I'm not confident in your sneaking abilities Perrington.  " 

Velon looks a bit nervous as he takes the broom from Lia with a nod.  Over the next minute several dull thuds are heard as large impressions are made in the wet sand by some invisible force and then several splashes of varying sizes can be witnessed twenty feet or so out into the water.  Upon returning to their hideout and removing the invisibility a wet and frazzled looking Velon quietly whispers to Lawrance to please help him clean any salt out of his armor.

Taxing his ability to keep a mental straight face to the utmost, Lawrance silently watches as Velon struggles to master the boom, it’s frequent plunges into the surf a sight to behold. With merely a word or two through the link to give direction, Lawrance watches the invisible Paladin on the invisible broom. Back at the camp Lawrance nods, lips tightly pursed, and spends the next few minutes cleaning the encrusted armor with his magic. 

As the others rush off Cratol heads that way too in case he is needed.  He enjoys the run and the ability to move quickly and still arrive to see all is well but not winded.  Seeing all is in order he stands and listens to what is being said without showing any emotion .  Once everything is said and done he will walk back toward where the exchange will take place.  He wants to get a good look at the lay of the land around it and see where possible attacks could come from.  Trees, sky and water as well as earth itself.  Wanting to make sure there is no hidden avenues that they have not discovered.  He will ask Mari once she gets back if she can think of any possible ways they can be ambushed to help figure out a way to conteract it.  He will discuss these possiblities with Velon, Lia and Poljen too.

  Mari looks at Perry.  " Come on Perrington.  Let the expert show you how  it is done. " She studies the terrain between the village and their hidden camp carefully.  After doing this she walks casually out of the village but not in the direction of their camp.  Once she is hidden from sight she begins to work her way back to the camp.  She takes her time and brushes away her tracks with a small branch.  Being hidden is her priority and not speed.  She rejoins her friends in the camp after her stealth trip.  

 Lia tries hide a smile as Lawrance helps Velon remove the sand.   She looks at him and removes any sand from his hair.  

Morgaine is surprised with Velon having so much confidence in her abilities. She follows him down easily enough and lands a short distance behind him. She stays silent while he talks to man in front of him. She keeps her expressions hidden,  as things are discussed. Once things are done and she becomes invisible to head towards the camp; she follows the others as they make the way to the camp. Once at camp she will, try to find a good place to not only hide but also be able to her weapons if necessary. 

She will also tell Velon, that they can work together whenever there is time to and that she has been not only working on her own but with Poljen as well. As well as some of the martial arts that Cratol does.

The group manages to get back to their blind without incident, aside from one confused looking fish that ended up in Velon's pocket somehow.

Back in the village, activity continues. Inside of an hour of the ship approaching shore, it is leaving again. It leaves behind a village full of people that look much like those who had been there when you arrived.

The fake villagers go about their business for the most part, but you do notice that several of them spend a good bit of time roaming away from the village, to all appearances fishing or foraging for food or supplies.

"Well that was fun.  I suppose we go back to hiding, playing cards and watching with Perry, Lawrance and Shadowsnacks working together to sweep the area until someone else happens."

"Who's up for a game?"

  Lia chimes in. " Lizards and Lairs maybe? That's a fun game. Maybe we should ban certain classes though. That holy warrior and magic user seems really overpowered to me..." 

  Mari turns down an offer of a game.  She spends a lot of time making sure her blades are sharpened and ready.  Mari also checks her poison vials  to make sure they are ready.   When not doing that she studies the surroundings looking for avenues to ambush or assault making full use of the terrain.