After miming the symbol of the Crushing Wave, the weird, white haired girl still half dressed in armor sighs in relief, as if she were expecting something else.

"Ah!" as if to break the awkward silence she finds the last of the gold pieces that she had looted--from this tied up reaver's very own pockets. After admiring the two pieces of gold inside, she returns them to the pouch, tosses said pouch to Xanranzan, then turns back to smile at the still-tied reaver. "Compensation, for the trouble you've caused us. I hope you understand. And like I said before, every time we met one of you guys you always drew swords first, and asked questions...never. Because we'd kill you all in self-defense."

Being so close, the reaver can tell that apart from her long white hair, her eyes also has almost zero pigment, which gives them their pale blue sheen from far away. But at this distance, you could actually see the blood underneath the blue of the iris, which became more red and clear the more emotional she started to get.

The pale blue eyes at first frown, blink, and then look intently at the reaver's eyes, as if trying their best to understand.

"Just why...why are you here. Why are you all here? Cults, or not, I don't care...I never wanted to have to kill anyone! Why are you going around setting up temples, raiding villages, killing normal people who had nothing against you? Why did your people raid my village and take away the only person who bothered to raise, to care for and bother training someone...someone like me?!"

The reaver shrugs.

"I joined for the money.  Most of my, er, former companions were more like fanatics.  Dedicated to ideas of elemental change, that the world needs to be remade anew and the only way to do that is to end it in the first place.  Me, I've never seen the use of that.  It's hardly any use to you if the world gets remade better, since you'll be dead anyways."

The white haired girl tilts her head, letting her now loose hair fall to one side.

"Really? Your friends all want to end the world except for you? Listen, no matter the case we're gonna need a head start and you're gonna need an excuse." She smiles, then drops her tone, "I hope I don't see you again on the other side of a blade."

After this, she will knock him out, take back her rope, drag him to a dark corner of the cave, then leave a coin of silver in his jacket or whatever he's wearing to remember them by before joining the rest of the party.

Tyde will hold the last line tying the boat off until everyone is aboard and then get underway.

"Taking both boats will hamper them getting around down here."

(What kind of boat is the large one? What are the dimensions?)

Xanranzan could see the struggle in Ketha. If not in a direct trip to the eyes, for which he hadn't the angle at the time, then certainly in her voice. After a while and out of eye shot of her, he simply shook his head as one of the answers he half-expected leaves the Reaver's mouth. By all accounts it was enough to warrant a beheading is most circles he knew. It certainly wasn't as if they could drag the reaver along to 'repent and make up' for assisting madmen in trying to destroy the world. Even highwaymen and regular bandits, while still generally bad or unfortunate folkl knew better.

Yet to his visible shock and amazement, he watched her knock out and move the reaver instead to be laid out in a corner before returning to the boat. And for good few seconds there watching is all he could do, before looking to the pouched passed along in hand, furrowing his brows at it, then shake his head as stuffed it into a pocket and followed after and onto the boat.

"Good think'n. And worst case scenario, we at least have a back up if the other gets sunken somehow."

Rubin climbs into the ship with the others, not really wishing to go swimming again just yet.

The large boat is about 20 ft by 10 ft.

(Where are you all planning on heading?)

(ooc: back the way we came... I guess, back to the keep?)

Kethra looks forward to the long watery route ahead, then waves Xan over to talk and work on the boat at the same time.

"So the good news is, we're moving downstream working with the current, and Mr. Tyde had marked the path back for us. The bad news is that last time we came through here we were attacked by undead and we have no idea if there are more of them hiding in a hole somewhere so just keep your eyes open."

"Also Xan, we should get you a codename! So far we've got The Baker, The Miner, and I'm The Blacksmith! It's so we don't call out each other's names in battle with these cults and it'll...well...it will be a good measure to take if you still have family that you want to protect." Kethra's voice cracks for a moment and she shifts uncomfortably in her new armor, which just clinks all over every time she moves.

"Who would've known there were 4 cults?"

"The only good thing about that is they don't get along well with each other."

Tyde finds a comfortable spot in the boat and settles in for the ride back.

"I mean to be honest, I ain't so surprised. Surprised they're tolerating each other, sure. But, if they're like, based on the elements like they say they are, it ain't so surprising. Especially if they got Djinni, Efreeti, Marids, and... Dao help'n." At the last word he grimaced but otherwise quick to carry on and say, "Though, world destruction would be a new one for any of those guys. Like, they tend to have followers that kinda got the whole cult vibe goin' for'em, but even they wouldn't quite go that far."

He then rubbed his chin. "Baker, Blacksmith, and The Miner, huh? Well, that kind of covers most of the stuff I would'a gone fer. But, ya'll do raise a good point... hmm... Uh... Guess I can be... The Cobbler? Yea, that sounds pretty cool. Also, are you okay Kethra?" He asked as he settled into place, ready to help rowing.

Yep, back to where we first got into the river down here, so we can go back up into the keep.

You all manage to make it back to the keep without any further issues.  You come out in the same secret passageway in Grimjaw's throne room.

(where were the other doors... was one behind the throne, or to the west of it?)

(Does there seem to be any alarms set off in the time we were gone? Are the bodies still here?)

There are two doors, one on each side of the wall that the throne's on (not counting the secret one).  The bodies have disappeared, but there doesn't appear to currently be much activity, at least in your area.

Quote from Mehmen >>

"I mean to be honest, I ain't so surprised. Surprised they're tolerating each other, sure. But, if they're like, based on the elements like they say they are, it ain't so surprising. Especially if they got Djinni, Efreeti, Marids, and... Dao help'n." At the last word he grimaced but otherwise quick to carry on and say, "Though, world destruction would be a new one for any of those guys. Like, they tend to have followers that kinda got the whole cult vibe goin' for'em, but even they wouldn't quite go that far."

He then rubbed his chin. "Baker, Blacksmith, and The Miner, huh? Well, that kind of covers most of the stuff I would'a gone fer. But, ya'll do raise a good point... hmm... Uh... Guess I can be... The Cobbler? Yea, that sounds pretty cool. Also, are you okay Kethra?" He asked as he settled into place, ready to help rowing.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine. My village was attacked and my master was slain by the mercenary Jolliver Grimjaw whose body we left behind back at the keep. My master was the only one who took me in and I can't believe...."

The Blacksmith's eyes turn briefly red, and stops rowing for a moment. Taking a deep breath, she lets out a small scream, quickly covering up her mouth with her cloak halfway through. "Ahh! I'm so mad, I can't believe they're doing this to other towns, villages...cities!"

If the others look back at her, she will pull her hood back over her head in embarrassment. "We should get Sorak a secret name too, right?" she tries to deflect.

Quote from LordShadowthorn >>

There are two doors, one on each side of the wall that the throne's on (not counting the secret one).  The bodies have disappeared, but there doesn't appear to currently be much activity, at least in your area.

Right before emerging from the secret passage and back into Jolliver Grimjaw's room, The Blacksmith gathers the party and tries to get them all riled up.

"We're gonna beat up some cultists! And since we know there are hired swords hired from nearby who don't know about cults...we don't have to pick a fight with every person we meet. Let's find out where those delegates are! Miner, do your usual sneaking around and Cobbler you do the talking."

She raises one arm to check on the scale mail she stole from the reaver's commander, hears it predictably clink and sighs. "Mr. Baker, you're the boss and call the shots...I'm going to cover the back with our half-orc friend."

After entering the throne room and noticing the missing bodies, "Well they know someone is here, maybe even raised an alarm while we were gone."

"Let's try the door to the left of the throne."

Xanranzan, not really knowing what else to say after the revelation, can only rub the back of his neck and nod along in understanding. Aside from this, he was apt to stay silent even as she vented further about the cultist, but would at least pat her on the back in camaraderie.

Later..

"I mean, on the one hand that means we'll maybe find folks so I can do my job." He said, throwing back a wink at Kethra. "On the otherhand, them knowing trouble's afoot will make it a bit tricky. But we should be able to handle as much!" He exclaimed as he fell in step beside Tyde, if not just behind him.