"It's ok." Camilla says, regaining her composure. "You didn't know. Lance is fine." she looked around with her eyes, standing there, as if suddenly embarrassed by her soft outburst. "I'm sorry about my behavior." And she walks away. 

Blade reaches out to Camilla to try and tell her it was alright, but the words get caught in his mouth and by the time he can mutter, "You're not the one who should be apologizing." she's already walked off. Sighing, he pets the drake, and gives it a small smile, "Guess your name's Lance now. Nice to meet you. I'm Blade. Hope we can get along." Lance gives a small snort of air, and nudges into the head pats. Nodding in affirmation to the name, Blade retrieves his helmet, and brings Lance over to the rest of the party, "We've got a mount now. He can help us carry some of this equipment, maybe even a cart if we're lucky."

Fauna helps Douven to his feet, waits for Belial to lead the way, and speaks softly to Douven, her voice hushed between the two of them. 

 Her eyes lock onto his quietly, scanning them expectantly, void of any anger, just worry. 

"They must have taken him to the Keep!" Douven admits. "I could have sworn I heard them dragging him away to there."

Fauna nods, her ears drooping slightly in thought. "Do you know where that is?" She fidgets with worry, keeping an eye out around at everyone to make sure there is no new danger while also focusing her gaze on Douven. 

Alia blinks at the drake. "Uh...okay, guess we've got a pet. And are we headed to the Keep now? The one with the cultists?"

Stacey would thank Belial for the coin split. Hearing a familiar bubbling noise, the rogue will follow her nose to Alfred in the back of the cave. She’d plop down beside him to watch the others do their thing until their ready to go. 

Lucina watches Camilla leave with a worried gaze and a frown. She considers going after her, but after a moment she decides it may be best that she be alone for a few minutes. She brings her attention to Douven, but her eyes dart over to look at where the tiefling was, just in case.

The Keep is about 4 miles north of where you are now. The dragon burial site, other than the gold and the amulet, has been stripped clean. If you guys wish to rest up and head there afterwards, by all means. Douven can find his way back home.

"Let's take a rest before we go to this keep."

Having just lost an eye, Blade is onboard with resting but asks to take first watch, "Don't think I'll be able to rest much with the pain, not to mention I want to practice with the new field of vision before the next fight." He also sets Lance up with a ration from his bag before getting into said practice. This practice consists of staring at distant trees, some light exercises, and swinging his sword.

"Maybe you should've let Camilla fix it then," Alia says to him a little pointedly. However, she doesn't push the point, instead rolling herself into a bedroll with the comfort of experience, despite her age, and falling asleep almost immediately.

Fauna lays down, her hooves curled up underneath her but she doesnt seem to fall asleep, staying quiet but lost in impatient thought. She watches Blade for a while, being am extra lookout while the others rest until someone else awakens for 2nd watch amd she allows herself to sleep. 

(When you guys are ready, I can post the next chapter.)

Ready.

Posting soon.

Once done 'blowing bubbles' with the dwarf, Stacey will scoot over to sit with Fauna all curled up. She'll cuddle up to the centaur hoping for mutual comfort. "I'll take the watch." The rogue would offer a smile and some pats. Since everyone took care of her the night before, Stacey still felt rested enough to be able to take a watch or two after Blade so the others could have their turn for rest.

Ahead, the narrow track widens into a clearing. Great piles of shattered stone blocks and scorches timbers dominate the clearing, sprawling out from its center to the edge of the woods. No plants grow among the ruins or within the clearing. The ground is bare dirt, and although the forest has begun to reclaim the path leading here, it has not intruded into the ruins of Shadowfell Keep.

Yet clearly someone has tampered with the ruins. In the center of the debris, stone blocks and timbers have been gathered into a pile. Someone has cleared a path through the rubble and pulled aside the wreckage to reveal a stone staircase. The staircase descends into the darkness.

Belial will cast Light so that the people who can't see in the dark can see and she'll lead everyone into Area1.