Vi vanishes in a flash of silvery light and reappears behind Runa, her own blade going against the woman's throat. "So will I," she says flatly. "Put the blade down, let her go, and surrender, and we'll ask you some questions and then leave you and your friend alive."

Runa considered the counter proposition while eating bacon and eggs and then slowly dropped her weapon, pushing Iri away roughly like a small child.

Tex rushes forward to catch Iri in his arms, holding her close, and safe from the Viking. Casting Cure Wounds at 1st level: 5 On her.

Looking back up at Runa: “What was your group’s goal here in the icespire?” There is quite a bit of venom to Tex’s voice, as if he were contemplating just killing HER specifically and letting the rest go.

"We are the Reavers. When we can’t find work as sellswords, we resort to brigandry and thievery. After spotting the white dragon, we decided to follow it back to its lair. We're now waiting for it to go hunting so we can plunder the Hold during its absence. Until the dragon leaves, we were doing everything we could to avoid attracting its attention. Then you fools arrived."

"I am done talking. Kill me, or let me go with my companions as were the terms."

Runa says no more.

"Kill them all now, or face them again later when they hijack one of our shipments or attack a settlement. Unless she wants to come with us to kill this dragon and take an even share in its horde," Lanarial says flatly.

Tex lets out a long, weary sigh. “No, Lan. They aren’t evil people, just mercenaries. I say we let them go, but if you EVER endanger my friends or myself again, I will kill you, stuff your head, and send it to your family.” His eyes and voice remain placid, he tightens his grip on Iri protectively.

Vi finally moves her blade away from Runa's throat and shrugs. "Whatever we're doing, let's do it fast. We have a dragon to deal with."

“We will never meet again. The dragon will see to that.” Runa collects her things, and her companions, and leaves.

Gareth-Wyn pauses for a moment to regain his breath (heal for 16)

Tex takes a moment to check his straps, double checking if all his equipment is still in fighting shape, bandaging some wounds, 16 
Tex walks over to Vi, offering a pat on the back, “Great work Vi, that was some quick arcane work. Very Leopard.”

Lanarial pulls out a potion of healing, breaks the wax seal, and chugs. "gaackk, this stuff tastes awful..."

Heal: 6

During the short rest, he bandages up the remaining ice-burns. (Heal 14 more.) When the group is ready, he says, "All right, I'll scout out the next door and see if I can find the way to the next building..."

Vi gives Tex a nod and a slight smile. "Wasn't about to let her pull any of that crap," the half-elf says simply as she bandages her own wounds.

Hit Die: 16

And she will use Arcane Recovery to get her 1st level and 2nd level spell slot back.

H6 - BARBICAN

Arrow slits look down on the trail that winds around the gatehouse, and an unlit fireplace stands to the south. 

Lanarial looks across the bridge to the main keep, trying to determine if the dragon is still at the top of the structure, and if the bridge looks structurally sound. Then he offers the following. "I'll go check the door on the far side. You guys cover me in case I get, you know, an icy reception..." He grins at his own pun, then slings his bow, ties one end of his rope around his waist and the other securely around the middle of his immovable rod. He will cross the bridge with the rod in one, ready to push the button if he should happen to get blown over the side...

Cryovain is definitely still there. It's a miracle he didn't hear the sounds of battle, or, at least you can tell from where you are. From H6, there is a door that leads to H7 and H8.

As the party rests, Gareth-Wyn performs a bit of battlefield triage, wincing slightly as he sutures a deep gash from the ice blast.

Heal: 12 5 5

After being shoved away by the mercenary, Iri falls into Tex's arms shaking. As the mercenaries leave she half falls, half sits down on the floor. She looks awful. Murmuring prayers to Selune, she spends the rest a little withdrawn. 46 HP. 

Tex tentatively walks out onto H7, keeping as quiet as he can: 12

As he crosses the bridge (H7), and then facing the main door into the second section, the rogue checks the way for traps.

H7

This solid stone bridge spans the 35-foot gap between the gatehouse and the main fortress, 50 feet above the trail that passes underneath it. The bridge is edged by 3-foot-high stone railings.

Mounted to the fortress wall north of the door to area H8 is an iron bell with a short, rusty chain dangling from it.