Cimeri, that was not so keep to return to the place of mass-murdering but was equally hesitant to stay near the witch asked only one thing: "Are we going south on foot? Because if we still need out boat, may be it makes sense to return to it and make a camp there? Or at least move in that direction and search for cave on the way." 

"Cimeri, as much as the cave may make us uncomfortable, if it's safe and Taman can properly get a rest, that's more important than feeling a bit queasy about it.  I hope you can see that."  Fulcra pushes the group to scope out the cave.  If it appears occupied, we head back to the boats to get a less good rest there.

[OOC: I'll wait for at least one other person to weigh in, since Azaka and Cimeri are against Fulcra's decision.]

"I can go a little without a good rest...  that said, I think our casters need it.  During the last fight there were a handful of times I might have died if not for the healing.  If we do need to confront these sisters.  I'd rather it be at full strength," Celtra says.

Bryn would furrow her brows, specifically remembering that she suggested that before they came all the way back. She too would always welcome rest to rejuvenate her spiritual power. Letting out a simple grunt, “Bryn agree to full strength before sisters. Should plan for foe. Bryn got hints from Nanny.” The Druid would then look to Azaka, their guide. “Birdfolk family bigger than that? Expect return or ambush at night in cave? Or clear now? Need boat to South? What Azaka guide can add to support decision choices?” Bryn was leaning towards the cave choice because it was a spot she knew. South she did not know if the options would be better.

Taman sighs.  "We need to find somewhere secure to rest." He announces to the group.  "I have very little magic left at my disposal, and, if we face any threats, will be fairly useless."  he glances to the members of the group. Then his eyes turn to their guide.  "You are against this idea, but where else can we get a secure enough place to have a rest where we can let down our guard enough to be able to fully recover our magic and other resources?"

[Bryn make a Survival/Nature test w advantage]

Bryn survival: 12

Bryn would walk through the group and away. Her ears would perk and she’d listen to the wind. The Druid would even sniff, following her intuition. Eventually something would catch her attention. She’d look back to the others. “Come.” Bryn would gesture for the others to follow. “There is a way.” She’d lead the way south.

"Shouldnt we wait for the panther?" Celtra questions.  "Right, you were the panther.  Sorry it's just a wierd thing to take in.  Anyways, sound like there is a compromise."

Azaka follows Bryn closely, quickly descending the stairs through the rotten gate of Mbala, past the heaped piles of macabre skulls.  You can't say you're not happy to leave the place behind, and the weather, while growing more humid, somehow grows less cold.

It's a few hours down to the jungle again, by which time the sun has set behind the canopy of trees that erupted around you.  On the way down you saw the Heart of Ubtao, floating mote of earth in the distance, and Firefinger, and the Aldani Basin to your east, but eyes stray always to the south, to the thick, wild jungle with dark mountains, volcanoes embedded, piercing the horizon.

Bryn notes some markings in the jungle that none of you can descry, and within 15 minutes she is peeling away sheafs of thatched leaves on the side of a boulder stack.  There, beneath them, hides a crawlspace, behind which is a larger hollow in the hill, complete with chimney out the top if needed.  It will be a safe night, a welcome respite after the day's events.

[+1 Inspiration all and a Long Rest for realz]

Fulcra smiles at the compromise.  "This is excellent, thank you Bryn."  Tucking the soul catcher away, he takes a moment to speak to Taman.  "The price she asked paid was to be delivered one of the cursed soul bags of the sisters.  It seemed a reasonable price given everything. I assume we'll end up confronting these sisters anyway. I can't promise she won't betray us, but all things considered, it seemed worth the risk to get a compass to our goal, potentially solve a personal problem of mine, all the while doing what we were going to do anyway."  He shrugs and heads off to get some rest. 

"To the ship, or straight south on our mission?" 

[Future posters, let us know if your post is pre or post Long Rest]

"Nice work." Taman says in approval as he takes in their sanctuary.  In response to the question about destination...  "Since we are this close to the ship I would suggest we check it out, but do not feel strongly enough about it if others wish to just head south."

Taman's comments are prior to the long rest.

Cimeri was immensely thankful to Bryn! Tiefling would follow others, of course, even if to the former battlefield, but this way, with  there was no conflict - inner or outer, which in the present situation was a blessing by itself. She thanked Bryn and returned to their camping routine almost happily.

"We rest at the north end of the Aldani Basin," Azaka says, moving supplies and bags from damp corners to drier spots in the 'cave'.  More like a swamp than a basin,  you all think.  "The basin is about forty leagues [~120miles] from northern tip to southern end; canoeing the swamp will be faster than land travel, and the ship in the trees is farther south still than that, albeit somewhat to the west."  She takes out her scimitar to hone its edge.  "This has all become far more real the further we come south; I think haste is needed.  The Heart of Ubtao and the ship can wait, in my opinion.  If there is a return trip," she poses, "I could take you to see it then."

"I am a liability to you now," she continues.  "Take my canoe if you wish, and I will continue to Orolunga to the west.  Otherwise, my enemies will be harrying us the whole way, until they catch us and kill us all."

Taman turns to their guide.  "And go where?" He asks her.  "None of us know how to travel these lands.  If we go without you we are as good as dead anyway."

"You are not going there alone," firmly added Cimeri. "I promised you help and will go with you whether you wish it or not. As urgent as our mission is, leaving people behind would not speed it up." She even tried to be logical in her persuasion: "Your enemies are our as well. Or, may be, first ours ant then yours. They know the jungle, they can easily find out where we are heading, track us down and ambush. At least this time we know what to expect - and where too! - and be ready."

"Besides, if we are not there, they will know you betrayed them and would just kill you without honourable fight." Cimeri shook her head and concluded "you are not going alone."

"Azaka, you know we would stay and fight if you only asked it," Celtra said to her but then just turned to the group.  "But her honor will not allow it and I for one will not disgrace that honor.  You may call it stupid or stubborn but the ways of a warrior are not your ways.  To us who do, it is an act of nobility.  Do not shame her decision in this."

"If you truly want to help her, let her go with no regret.  Ease her mind of trouble sk she can focus purely on the battle.  Give her your blessing" she says in a stern voice nearly demanding it.

Fulcra sits down on the cave floor, reclining against his bag as he pulls out a pouch of dried meat.  He begins chewing on it.  "That's sounds stupid and stubborn."  He shrugs, making eyes with Celtra, "What? You told me I was allowed to say it... "  Turning to Azaka,  "Anyway, Azaka, you claim you're a liability to us, but I agree that the level of threat of having you with us and the level of threat of NOT having you with us, are both unknowns. None of us can claim to know which would be worse. But I can't see us surviving in this jungle without you, so I think we're better off with you." He shrugs.