Zack couldn't help but snort at her blunt response, another smile forming, though this one in the 'humored' flavor. Crossing his arms non-defensively, as his posture suggested he was relaxed as he once more rested his back against a wall o whatever was handy while he listened to them both introduce themselves fully. As Claire revealed she had been travelling the lands seeking to aid where the disease went, a very brief, momentary break in his smile as the though of 'I wish either of you had made it to my village in time..' crossed his mind, before his normal look returned. 

He nodded quickly once both had said their pieces, and a curious look crossed his face. And his brows furrowed into a more serious expression, looking down, in thought. Before finally eyeing between them both as his considerations ended. Well, Don't mind my girl here, she gets quiet sometimes, especially around new folk. But once she gets to know you she'll smack you right across the face for the littlest thing.... his eyes, but not his head passively dart to her for a flash of a moment. But then it seems we all share atleast one goal, while Rollo shares both of ours. Originally, we had been part of a group that was travelling together by chance, and came across a town just after an attack had happened. 

After dealign with that places problems, we decided to look more into it - And that's where we got sidetracked.. Mostly my own fault. I wanted to go give some farewells to my parents.. parent. Considering how I'd left home, only to find out about, what I assume to be the same disease, washing through the area. So for the last while our focus has shifted, since, what good does saving everyone from giants do if by the time we're back they're all corpses?

We've been looking into it for about a week or two now, and we cut off the head of the creator of the disease, only to find out this was a Hydra, not a Dragon. Not.. literally... he says, on the off-chance his comparison went over anyone's head. Either way, that led us here and we dealt with the problem in town, only to find out the third head isn't that far away, and we're on our way to deal with tat right now, though we're having to wait on someone to uphold their end of the bargain, but we'll be leaving shortly.

Leaning in to whisper once more And sorry about the initial secrecy, but we avoided the same shakedown you had by pretending that I was part of the towns military, But.. I completely forgot the alias I used... so... hehehehe.  He smiled again, laughing at himself. But that's more or less the long and short of it. But aye, We'll be leaving as soon as our errand boy gets back with our horses. 

As for the shrines and temples, I dunno man, I don't remember there ever being those here, but if they were, sometimes beliefs shift and others are pushed out.

Claire seems a little confused about the hydra comment, but works her way through it.  "... So regarding the disease, it was man-made... and you're off to find the next 'head' of the 'hydra' now, I presume." Claire raises a closed fist to the bottom of her chin.  Then she squints her eyes shut, thinking hard.  "Mmmmm... yes.  I shall accompany you," she declares as she opens her eyes and looks to Zack.  Then she looks over her shoulder for a moment, Rollo would see her eyes scanning about, as if taking in the city as a whole.  "A shame to be off as soon as I arrived... but such is the life of one guided by light."

Rollo chuckles at bit at Zack's last statement. "Like I said, it's been a while." He points to the touches of grey beginning to encroach in his hair. "And if it would not be too much trouble I would like to come along as well. Tyr led me to this town. I thought it was to assist a temple but if there is no temple here then my next best guess would be that he meant for me to assist you. It seems that our interests are aligned, as you said. I am less of a healer than the lady here seems to be but I am good in a fight, as befits a cleric of the Lord of Justice." 

While conversations continue a half elf in dark leather armor approaches the gate from inside the city. Behind him are two horses, mares both, that appear to healthy and strong as anyone could hope for. When he approaches the group he gives pause as he stares at the two newcomers. After giving both Claire and Rollo a suspicious look he approaches Zack and Nadia, handing them the reigns of the horses as well as two pieces of parchment, one large the other small. Here, as promised. The Captain gave me an earful about wasting her time and set sail on her own. Just take this and don't let your faces be seen in the city for some time. He then glances back at Claire and Rollo, seemingly appraising them. What, you two suddenly interested in religion? He asks of Zack and Nadia. Whatever, just be on your way, our buisness is done. He then turns and heads back into the city.

Zack, looking at the large paper you see its a deed to property. Tacked on is a note that reads as follows.

I apologize for not meeting you in person to reward you, but I sensed you were not pleased to be working with me during our first meeting. Perhaps this is unnecessary but I did not wish to risk betrayal. I hope you'll find that the reward is as promised, as I am nothing if not a man of my word. Take the horses and go where you please, but I do not wish to see you in my city ever again. If you return, you'll have every Zhentarim agent in the city on you. I promise that's a war you do not want. Attached to this letter is the deed to a tower, its located west of Orlbar, overlooking the Delimbiyr River. Hopefully you find it to your liking. There should be another slip of paper with a name, I believe he is the mage responsible for your current condition. His location is not known to me, but I promised you a name and you have it. Good luck to you both on whatever journeys lay ahead. ---The Snail.

The small slip of paper simply reads Imarys

Nadia returned to her spot on the wall as nonchalantly and as quietly as possible, as if she had never left. She'd keep herself at that distance until she realized Zack was engaging them in conversation, definitely longer than she anticipated. Eventually, the ranger comes up beside him, just as he explains that she could be relatively quiet when around new people. While it were mostly true, she decided to give him a little jab at the side to emphasize his point on the last bit of the sentence, shooting the two a cheeky wink. "Glad to have you guys on the team."

She returns to being quiet until Falkas shows up, his comments earning him a sardonically said, "Siempre es un placer trabajar con serpientes." Giving him a two fingered salute as a goodbye, Nadia lets Zack handle the paperwork while she takes the mares reigns, giving them two pats on the neck. When he looked to have finished reading, she asks, "What's it say?"

Zack crossed his arms and grunted. Correct to both. Or atleast its not natural. It was being used to create a quick and convenient source of corpses, though outside of some typical campfire story, I can't imagine the purpose. he let his eyes wander as he spoke, looking over the people in the town as Nadia had wound her way over.  And once it seemed as if Claire was about to speak again his eyes refocused on her. Well, as I say 'it is what it is' y'know? Just before Rollo chimed in as well. Shifting his feet to remain comfortable, and avoid the telltale tingle of twinkling toes... Either way, Fate seems to have led you here, at just the time we were about to head out, so maybe it was just meant to be. Regardless, we'd be glad for the help.. especially if you two really can cure this thing, even if it's only one person at a time. I don't really understand how magic works, or divine blessings, etcetera etcetera. But I do know they work.

Zack hitched as the elbow met with his ribs, and while not hurting, it prodded in a sensitive area, that he just barely managed to keep from snorting as she had his a ticklish region. Though it was right about then that Falkass showed up, with perfect timing.

Zack took whichever set of reins was handed to him, and inspected the horse even as he listened to Falkass, glad that the Horse was black, with a white-diamond shape on it's head between the eyes. Before responding to Falkass however, he jokingly says to Nadia Lets try not to forget them before we fly away in a floating tower this time eh? feeling confident that Falkas would have no idea to what he was referring to, while simultaneously confusing him. And thank you Falcon for upholding your end. And eh, she should have been happy to enjoy the docks for a few hours longer and not have to rig a sail or whatever.  he said, revealing that he didn't really understand sailing that much. And if things go to plan, we didn't intend to. 

Zacks eyes follow Falkass gaze, causing him to laugh low at the comment. I mean, as I just said to them, what better folk to have around when dealing with what we're dealing with? "Have the right tool for the job" my dad always said. So whether its undead, demons or diseases, they more or less have it covered. managing to spit it out before Falkass could get out of earshot. Regardless, now with mounts and the promised papers, Zack and everyone else who wished to go, could finally be on their way - not that they had to wait all that long. 

After poring over the larger then smaller notes.... He couldn't help but laugh as he read it, and Nadia asked. Oh nothing much. Just that our assistant was happy with our work, and never wants to see us again. But he held up his end of the bargain, so it's whatever in the end. We got our horses, we got our Hydra's head, and I.. Have my name. His entire speech up till the very last portion of the last sentence was normal, nonchalant and upbeat, however the end was said with near deadly gravity. 

Grunting as he recomposed himself, looking at the two newcomers Sorry. A more .. personal hydra. Either way, lets be going shall we? We don't have that far a trip, so I suppose me and Rollo here can trade who gets to ride the horse every couple miles, keep our legs fresh. But we'll have to do something about your lack of mount sometime, my treat, if we all survive this.

Rollo looks to Zack. "That's most kind of you, good sir. It seems that along with my lack of mount I am also lacking the knowledge of where to purchase one, though I do have the funds for one. As for walking, unless it will slow us down I can walk while you all ride. I've spent over 100 seasons in the woods so I've gotten quite used to walking." 

"I don't doubt your capabilities, dear Rollo, but if we are to travel together, a single member of the party traveling on foot will slow us down significantly... which may be a problem if our coming duty requires any semblance of urgency.  If you've the coin for it, should we stop by the stables before we depart?"  Claire looks between her three companions. waiting for an answer.

Zack looked down, considering things, initially about to say that simply wasn't possible... but then he realized there was a slight out. Hmm, well as the one guy said, it might be best if I don't head back in myself just yet. However, that didn't include either of you. And if you won't let me treat, I'm not the type to push an offer~ he said nonchalantly, but with compunction. Either way, its probably the same place he got these from, so... Zack gave a simpl,e but clear and concise set of directions where the stables would be, atleast the district and how to get there, since he was somewhat familiar with the town layout. Shouldn't even take ya a half-hour, if you start now.

Rollo nods and ambles off on the path that Zack gave him.

Rollo, you find the stables near the docks. The stablemaster is willing to sell a black stallion to you for 75 gold. He doesn't seem the type to take to haggling.

Rollo isn't much for haggling either, as long as the price seems fair. He takes the portion of gold that he found under Thibault's bed, that rat, and pays. 

He then makes the slow, unsettled way back of someone who used to know how to ride a horse but hasn't done it in a long time. 

"There, now we are all on even-ish footing. Shall we be off to this strange tower of yours?" 

“I see no reason to dawdle,” Claire states, passing a look over Zack and then Nadia.

Ironically enough, when Zack mounts his horse as Rollo returns, he seems like the type who's had years of experience riding horses, though perhaps not necessarily in combat. Regardless, he was comfortable. Yeah, Lets get this show on the road, we don't have an excruciating distance to go, and on horses.. we might even be there before needign to break for camp. Zack figuring that the sooner they leave, the better, heading towards the gate, knowing the lizard marshes weren't far.

The Lizard Marshes are indeed not far but are still about half a days travel from the city. The party follows along the Delimbiyr River as it flows straight into the vast swamp. As party travels and the sun lowers in the sky the rising moon soon becomes hidden behind dark clouds that threaten rain. Afternseveral hours of travel you are at the very edges of the Marshes with a few hours a daylight left. Setting up camp for the night you all try to think on what you might know about the land you are entering. Zack and Rollo, you both have heard stories of these swamps. Its known for its giant killer insects and blood thirsty monsters. Supposedly a tribes of aggressive Lizard Folk also call the mars their home. Why anyone would have a keep out here is beyond you. 

You all take turns during the night keeping watch, wary of the dangers that lurk further into the marsh seeing your camp as a feast. The crescent moon is hidden behind dark clouds and as expect rain soon starts to fall. The night is long and cold but for a while seems otherwise devoid of dangers. Its around midnight and the rain is coming down in buckets.

Current watch is Rollo and Zack. Feel free to rp a little if you'd like. When you're ready Perception checks from both of you.

Rollo pokes at the fire with a stick to stir up the coals a bit before turning away to let his eyes readjust to the dark. "So what exactly is it that we're doing at this tower?" 

Zack had been against the idea of starting a fire in such a lace, and had voiced his opinions on it, but he was ultimately overruled. Luckily the weather was on his side, and he smiled a bit. Zack wasn't afraid of a fight, even if he was outmatched, but that didn't mean he wanted to be a lighthouse in the middle of an, by all accounts, hostile swamp. He didn't voice it though, since there was no point in causing trouble. When Rollo finally spoke, while Zack was keeping an eye out towards the perimeter he was glad for the conversation in his soaked clothing and armor. Well, after we killed our target in the city, one of their underlings spilled some beans after some gentle coaxing. Not that I'm against hurting people, but I pretended to torture the guys friends, before goign to him to tell him all the things I could do to him. Psychological warfare, helps keep the conscience clean. Regardless, We're going to be saving the Duchess of Daggerford, atleast if his information holds true.

Zack let those words hang in the air for a moment so they could be absorbed. Apparently there was some demon-thing leading Daggerford for the last five years or so, in the guise of the Duchess. And unless I'm getting my information mixed up, this will be -hopefully- a three-headed hydra. With this one being the third.  it was at that moment, Zack realized he'd unintentionally kept the name of the man at the bottom of the note from Nadia.... It hasn't been on purpose so he'd clear it up in the morning. Tch.. Tomorrow.... Anyways back to point. And if so, that will be the end of the 'disease' business as well. The long and short is, you two came in a little late to the party but, we're glad to have you. We've been running a little roughshod against some pretty tough opponents. So as for what we're doing at the tower, it essentiually boils down to this: Saving the rightful leader of a town, and potentially ending a pandemic. 

Rollo nods but keeps his focus outwards as his eyes adjust. "Seems simple enough, or as simple as things ever are. In terms of ending a disease though you may be best looking to Claire for help. I'm afraid my training on such matters was cut unfortunately short. I know a bit about healing but I'm more adept at fighting to keep ones self alive." 

Perception: 4

While you both chat through the night Rollo hears movement further in the swamp. To Zack, all he can hear is the sound of the rain pounding on swampwater but Rollo can hear distinct splashes in the water that sound like steps. Looking in the direction of the sound Rollo catches a glimpse of a woman running through and deeper into the swamp, behind her he sees two large dark figures slithering towards her at alarming speed. The woman lets out a cry thats muffled by the rain but still makes its way to Rollos ears.

Rollo points off in the direction of the woman. "Seems like someone's in trouble. How do you all feel about situations like this?" He says as he stands and draws his greataxe.