I definitely wouldn't want to go on split up. That would be a sure way to get eaten by spiders.

If Edgar's certain that at least one of us should go back, then we all should. I wouldn't want to be here in any smaller of a group...

"I don't really want to split up at this point, just in case either group runs into trouble. That's how Arvel got into trouble..."

Ethan looks along the south east river again, before looking up at the sky.

"Hhhmmm..."

(OOC:  enough time in the current day?  If you were to head back to town now without delay you'd probably arrive an hour or so after dark.)

"I don't think we have the time to explore further, if we also wanted to head back to town. So it is either head back now and then come back out tomorrow or just keep going."

Ethan thinks things over a little more.

"I think my vote is to head back, I want as much information as we can get. I don't want to leave Arvel for longer than we need to, but I don't think they plan to kill him, so..."

Ethan looks to the others to see what the group consensus is.

Zeke nods his head decisively as the consensus forms up.  'Ok, let's move quickly but stick together.  There's a chance this is part of someone's plan to lure us into an ambush.  Tarja you take point?  Try to find us a path that's not exactly the same as the one we took out and keep your eyes and nose open for anything unusual.' 

Looking at Fae, the tiefling smiles and says 'I'll cross first to make sure no one has any trouble getting to the other side of the river.  Wouldn't want to get delayed fishing anyone out'

Tucking his blade back into its sheath, he ties a rope around a nearby tree and then strides out into the river effortlessly swimming across (26) to the far side where he ties off the rope to give his comrades a guideline.

As everyone clears the river, he looks about, checking that they are each in good shape and ready to move quickly.  He has a nervous feeling in his gut about this:  'Remember, ambushers will want to box us in, hitting us from multiple directions at once.  The best response is to hit back in one place with overwhelming force.  Just follow the lead of whoever responds quickest on our end - smash anyone in your way and move out of the kill box quickly to finish off the rest of the assaulting force.  Got it?' not waiting for a response, he turns to survey the trail ahead 

The party sets off back the way they came, heading north from the river over the hills as the sinking sun to the West shines brightly atop the higher peaks just east of the party.  After a number of hours Zeke, Tarja and the others find a familiar location as the land levels off near the farmlands outside of Phandalin and turn west towards town.  You watch the sun fade away in front of you and march the last thirty minutes or so with much less light, arriving in town just after dark.

Sister Garaele watches you enter the center of town from the glow of her front door, bobbing her head a bit as she looks for Arvel amongst the group.  She gives you all a small wave but when she catches Fae's eye she gestures for the young wizard to join her.

A few increasingly familiar villagers wave and nod as the party moves through town but most of the activity seems to once again be centered at the Stonehill Inn where all of the locals still gather to discuss all of the recent happenings and spread even more rumors, most of which seem like a stretch despite the recent events.

Fae would shift uncomfortably. She had fallen silent because she couldn’t shake this feeling she had in the pit of her stomach. Something made her uneasy. And it wasn’t Zeke speaking up about chancing being lured into ambush, because she was inclined to agree. She believed there was a trap... somewhere. If not an ambush, what about being baited away with knowledge to buy more time with Arvel? There was a shapeshifter on the loose after all...

It’d take a moment for Fae to snap back, realizing Zeke was looking at her. She had been staring towards the assumed path to Arvel, tempted to slip away on her own. Catching his smile, she’d return it. His beginning words were encouraging, though, she’d curl in on herself a little embarrassed again at the mention of being delayed further to fish anyone out. Maybe she should have accepted being carried over last time... She truly didn’t want to be cause for delay, again.

The wizard would take a moment to breathe and calm her anxious heart, shuffling to follow the best she could across the river. A foot would slip on a rock, but she’d catch herself quickly, tip toeing hastily the rest of the way. Once on the other side of the river, Fae felt more relieved than she’d be willing to admit. That appeared more stressful than a potential ambush. She was prepared for any threats on the return back, following Zeke’s lead. 

Survival: 3 

After the long trek back, Fae could feel the aching in her legs and feet from the days exercise. She refused to voice any discomfort out loud though. Feeling physically weak, the wizard desired to persevere in hopes she could eventually get stronger. 

Spotting Garaele, Fae would pad her sore feet over. “Hi Garaele. Everything okay?”

Ethan comes over to hear what Sister Garaele has to say.

After the long trek back, Tarja arrives tired but still anxious to find out what the druid, possibly Reidoth, could know. She doesn't notice Sister Garaele waving over to Fae, since she would be looking for the druid. She would head towards the Stonehill Inn, hoping that she could find him there.

Tarja finds many of the usual townsfolk, including the Stonehill family, Sildar, Daran, Linene Graywind and Elmar Barthen all enjoying their evening.  She is greeted with warm welcomes and sincere inquiries about Arvel.

"All is well in Phandalin" replies Sister Garaele with a small smile.  With a bit of doubt in her expression, however, she inquires "Arvel?"

Looking at Ethan and anyone else following Fae to the young priestesses house, Sister Garaele asks Fae "tea?"  The question seems like a loaded one, however, perhaps asking if Fae thinks it's ok for others to join them, whether it be distrust of the rest of the party, which would likely be unwarranted, or perhaps concern over the new knowledge of a shape changer around Phandalin.

Zeke trails behind the wizard, his balde extended to it's full length and his shield slid down onto his arm.  The trip back was uneventful.  Stressful, as the barbarian was sure danger waited for them somewhere along the way.  In some ways he was disappointed - a simple ambush was something he knew how to handle, a challenge he could meet head on and overcome.  This uncertainty was maddening.  Where was the dwarf?  Where was this druid?  Why did things seem so normal here if Edgar had been so frantic?  

Something didn't add up, and until he knew what was going on he wasn't going to relax.  He'd keep the party on an alert footing, making sure they didn't let their guard down either.  

As they approached Sister's house, the teifling would open up his stride and pull ahead of the party, getting to the priestesses door ahead of her.  Without waiting or asking permission, he'd open her front door and do a cursory inspection (a cursory inspection by a hulking giant of a tiefling with a naked blade in his hands and his wings curled menacingly around him)  of the main sitting area to ensure no trap awaited Fae or the others. 

Sister Garaele is surprised and almost knocked over by Zeke's sudden charge through her door.  Zeke finds a small home with a large hearth where the boiling of water and baking of various goods appears common.  Sitting near the fire sipping a steaming cup of tea is a gaunt figure with a long white beard.  He looks back at Zeke quizzically, then to Sister Garaele, then back to Zeke.  In a high but weak voice the figure asks "friend or foe?"

'Indeed, that's the question at hand.  Are you a friend or a foe?  I know where I stand.  I stand between my comrades and danger, and between this village and those who would bring trouble in through its doors.  Where do you stand grandfather?'

Sister Garaele looks at Fae with concern, wondering what is going on with Zeke.

The gaunt man replies "in fact, I do not!" and lifts his feat off of the floor from where he is sitting.  "Perhaps you should sit as well.  You could use some tea."

Elra seems concerned about the tension, "Um... Edger said Gundren was awake... i was hoping he might be able to help us. Give us more information."

Sister Garaele replies "oh, oh yes, he's doing much better now."  "I'm sure he'll be happy to see you!"

"Where can we find him?"

Ethan is ready to go find Gundren with Elra, he doesn't appear troubled by Zeke's actions.

When Zeke would make his move, striding directly into Garaele's home, Fae wasn't exactly expecting it, but she also wasn't too surprised either. He was doing what was natural to him. Her violet eyes were wide but a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She'd follow behind him, shuffling a little quickly to help Garaele when she'd almost get knocked over. The wizard would give a small apologetic glance for her shock, resting a gentle hand on her arm to assure her he means no harm to those who pose no threat. She understood their protectors apprehension.

With a small gesture of her hand, Fae would check in with Garaele, "Copper for your thoughts?". Her voice was gentle. "Tea would be wonderful." She'd smile reassuringly.

Eventually moving into the room, Fae would find her way to Zeke and the man before him. She'd dip her head in a respectful bow in greeting. "Druid Reidoth?" She'd ask. "My name is Fae." She'd introduce herself, offering a polite smile.

Fae would look up to Zeke. She'd reach a hand out to place on his arm.

Sister Garaele gestures towards the second floor of the inn where Gundren has been resting for days.

Taking Fae's meaning, Sister Garaele intentionally projects thoughts of Reidoth, news of the dragon, and a minor bit of concern over Zeke's storming of her home.

When turning her attention to the figure in the room, Fae would find a more clouded and chaotic but gentle mind.  His thoughts include 'how odd' in reaction to both Zeke's behavior and appearance, a firm belief that a good cup of tea would do Zeke well, enthusiasm for his own tea, and a familiarity with Fae's name.

When Fae speaks, Reidoth turns his full attention to her with a pleasant expression but otherwise simply says "ah!" and then asks "tea?" while gesturing with an open hand towards an empty chair near the fire.

Ethan heads to the inn (assuming along side Elra), to check on Gundren, and catching up with Tarja who went ahead of them.

Seeing Sildar, Ethan asks.

"Hi Sildar, how is Gundren, we got word that he is better and that Reidoth had returned."

On Ethan's back, Quinn in his REST configuration, shifts a little, his wings giving a quick buzz, as Ethan joins the larger gathering of people.