Grimnir, with his sword drawn from its scabbard and pointed towards the ground, continues to lurk in the treeline. He stares cautiously towards the cabin, occasionally looking over his shoulder towards Jaina. The dim moonlight of the evening briefly bathes her face in light before she notices she's stepped out too far and she quietly recedes back into the shadows. Grimnir is struck, for a moment, by her beauty. Something about her eyes. She reminds him of someone. Someone from a long time ago that he struggles to pull from his memory. He suddenly realizes there is no time to entertain such thoughts and that his gaze has lingered a bit too long for his own comfort. He quickly returns his stare to the cabin, hoping she hasn't noticed.

Varis will cautiously enter the cabin and sit (if a seat is offered). "May Yalasna bless you. Thank you for letting us enter your home. What is happening, my child?"

Varis

Something about this place seems familiar, you don't know if its the trinkets above the door, or the ornament on her staff.... You've never seen anything like this in person, so you assume that you have seen it in your studies. You believe this woman to be an Oracle, or a Seer.... From your studies you know that Oracles care only of the balance of fate. 

"Sit, please..... I haven't been called child in many years boy. Those words are far away from the ears of an old woman like me. Do you know what part you play in this world yet?"

As her eyes settle on yours you see that they are completely covered by a milky glaze. You doubt that she can see at all.

Grimnir

Jana starts to walk quietly toward you. she waits until she is right beside you to speak. "Grimnir, is something the matter? You seem distracted." Her voice is hushed, and gravely. It's a soothing alto tone. You get the impression that she is concerned for you, and perhaps some conversation will distract her from the anxiety of waiting for her husband and Varis to return.

Grimnir squints his eyes towards the house, occasionally letting them dart quickly to her face and then back to the house. "N-No," he stammers out a response, instantly aware that he's been far too obvious in word and deed. His eyes close momentarily, as he inwardly thrashes himself for being so foolish. "It's nothing, ma'am. The moon and shadows were just playing tricks on my mind."

He lets his thoughts drift back to the fairness of her face, the melodic overture that is her voice. In his heart of hearts, he wishes to hear more of her song. He knows, though, that just as has been the case in his life as a soldier before, to dream of anything more substantial with her or any other woman is folly. The pull on his flesh being too strong, he repositions himself a few feet away from her, casually commenting on how he needs a better vantage point in case there is trouble.

"As a priest of Yalasna and knowing my role in the title of 'father,' I think of all people to be my children in some sense. I may not always be the best in this role, since I have studied most of my life, but even you are deemed of child of Yalasna, or at least one of the gods...." Varis trails off at this thought, pausing for a moment, "...As for my part in this world, no I do not know my part. I know what I study and the implications that it could have on the people of this world. And, unfortunately, I would do anything to unlock the secrets of the gods...." Again, he trails off as he remembers the smokey figure and his stomach churns. "What do you know of my research or tasks in this world? Why do you say that I have 'a part'? Do you know why we were kidnapped?"

Grimnir

You don't see anything that seems threatening. You watch the forms of Colter and Varis disappear into the doorway. The door closes behind them and the night falls dark and still once again, the light of the moon, and the yellow glow from the windows on the cabin are the only sources of light. You feel oddly peaceful here.

Varis

The woman stands still for a moment before opening her mouth. "Ah, anything. I know you would, child, I know you would." She turns and faces away from you, "The dark one follows you, doesn't he." She begins grabbing strange ingredients from her cupboards, "Allow me to show you something child."

"Yes, he does," Varis responds, holding his tongue from divulging more information about the dark one. Varis moves toward her to see what she is preparing.

Grimnir sighs after seeing Varis disappear into the cabin. "Damn," he huffs in frustration. "I can't see either of them now. But they would have given the signal by now is something were amiss."

Thinking back to a few moments ago, he relents to fate and allows himself the simple pleasure of conversation with such a fair lady.

"Are you thirsty, Lady Jaina?" He passes a wineskin back to her, nonchalantly. "Worry not about its contents. It's merely water. That damned bard took all of the alcohol with him."

He feigns a smile, hoping to relieve some of the tension that's been built up since he caught himself staring at her.

"How long have you and Colter been away from home?"

Varis

You glance at the ingredients. You recognize the items, all fairly common; bats wings, mushrooms, thistles, herbs, small pebbles, and a twig covered with moss. She takes the small bundle of items and tosses them into her large cauldron. A pink smoke begins to slowly rise from the pot but it slowly turns to a deep purple color and begins erupting from the cauldron like a volcano. At first you see nothing, but then, slowly you begin to see shapes form. At first they are almost indecipherable, but then they are clear and begin to take on colors of their own until you feel as if you are standing in the scene yourself. It's like a time lapse of your kidnapping, you see all of the events unfolding in the third person, but in this vision you also see the dark one, pulling at one of your arms and a milky white, translucent eagle pulling at your other. 

 Grim

Jana approaches you, "Well, just as long as the kidnapping and all... We were married just the day before we set sail for the census. It's most unfortunate really, we had the world laying at our feet, waiting to be taken and now... our friends and family probably presume us dead." She takes a drink from the flask and laughs "I wish the bard left some of the good stuff. Do you see anything going on in there?" 

You get no impression of deceit, she seems nice, perhaps jaded a bit by the situation. 

His defenses broken by her words, Grimnir chuckles lightly and casually leans against a sturdy tree.

"Indeed. But at least he was good for a song or two."

He smiles broadly at her, still stricken by her comeliness.

"For what it's worth," He begins. "I'm truly sorry. No one should have to endure what our group has, especially a new bride."

He looks towards the cabin for a moment in silence, ashamed of himself for letting his loneliness endear him to someone he barely knows. For a brief second, his mind wanders to a flash of images of what his life would be like if he and Jaina were to run away together, but he almost immediately rejects such frivolous notions and tries to keep up his charade.

"He...He seems like a quality man, your husband. He has wealth, bravery, and skill. And a wife that appreciates something stronger than water. He's to be envied."

He shines another smile at her, out of sincerity, then hangs his head for a moment before reaching into his bag and producing a whetstone. He slowly slides his sword from its scabbard, kneels down, and begins to refine its edges as quietly as he can. He pauses only briefly to look over his shoulder at her and say, "Rest for a moment, Lady Jaina. I will keep watch." 

Grimnir

Jana laughs and says; "He's a great guy. We both come from refined families and they wouldn't have given their blessings if it were anyone else." She pauses for a second "I'm not resting though, not while Colter is in there. Should we get a closer look?"

Varis

You notice that the eagle is pulling you toward Umok, while the dark one is pulling you away. 

The vision slowly fades away. As the smoke thins you see the old woman again. "So child, tell me, what did you see?"

"As you like." Grimnir says with a wry smile. "I'd rather be moving than waiting any day."

With that, he resheathes his sword and puts away his whetstone. He moves slowly under the cover of night towards the cabin, stopping only long enough to ensure branches are pulled away to allow Jaina safe passage. It's an empty gesture, perhaps, but it makes me feel better knowing he is being a gentleman.

“Wise one, I saw a great bird advancing me toward Umok. Yet, there was resistance; the dark one was pulling me in the other direction,” Varis responds slowly trying to make sense of what he saw. 

Varis

You hear her let out a small laugh. "Oh, Child, I've seen that many times. I don't know what to make of it, I assumed that once I saw you in person, you would understand." She points a bony finger to Colter, "And you, I've yet to see you... Would you care to see what the smoke has for you?"

Grimnir

You guys walk up with minimal effort. There's nothing amiss. Once you get up to the shack you can peek in the window.

Grimnir

See the shape of three figures standing perfectly still, swaying slightly in a haze of purple smoke.

Grimnir quietly motions for Jaina to join him at the window. Under his breath, he whispers, "What in the name of the gods goes on in there?"

Grimnir

As you peak in you see Colter step toward a bubbling cauldron. As he approaches a bright green smoke engulfs the entire room. You are unable to see the figures.

Varis

Colt looks at you then back to the woman, then back to you. He silently steps toward the cauldron and as soon as he does a bright green smoke engulfs the room around you.

Varis ponders what the old lady says, but has no idea why he is being pulled to Umok. 

Varis gives a slight smile as Colter walks toward the cauldron. The green smoke now filling the room causes Varis to start coughing. He calls out, "Are you all alright, Colter?" and looks toward the old woman.