When Jirel would hear the word prisoner, a growl so low in her throat would rumble, only those listening for it could hear it.

"They protect us from them. We geev them food, they treat us a leetle beet better."

"How long has your daughter been prisoner?" Jasun asked. "Maybe we could..rescue her?" he casually suggested.

"A few weeks now. Eef you could break eento the Pale Tower and rescue her, you would be heroes."

Everyone, please make a Wisdom check.

Grumbly wisdom: 18

Jezzika's dress: 9

Wis ST: 3

Rose: 21

Zaf Wis Check: 15. (just to be apart of the group.. D:)

Zaf's expression turned dark at the full details of the deal. "If you would accept such efforts, perhaps we can then work together. For in truth, a certain someone on this side has been abusing their powers to the point that the winter of this realm has begun to spread beyond its borders. And this is something that we cannot abide by." He admits as much, but no more, leery of foul winds carrying too much to the wrong ears. "In good faith, but with some help perhaps, at least, we could commit to this res...?" Zaf trails off for a moment, noting at least maybe a faint change in expression in the two big'uns in the group.

Jirel facial expression would crack. Her eyes would soften and she’d even glance down for a moment. The goliath will finally step forth into the group, being sure not to bump into any one on her way by this time. Only the sound of the snow squeaking beneath her feet could be heard. Although she knew almost nothing about this entrancing foreigner, Jirel felt as though what she just remembered was something needing to be said. She’d glance over to Rose before looking back to Nadya.

“Thora Petska.” The barbarian would pause. The scene of her smashing the doll to pieces will replay over in her mind with... guilt? Is this what that is? Jirel’s grumble would grow a little audible with her discomfort. “Her soul was trapped. It led us to a three legged hut with a doll. We... I shattered it...” She’d confess, taking any responsibility for the task so the others don’t have to. 

Upon hearing Nadya’s full name, Rose falls silent. The thought of the little girl ran through her mind, how scared she was, how she was calling out to her mother... her name. From behind her fringe, she gives a worrying look to Jirel, who seemed to have also connected the dots at this unfortunate discovery. When the barbarian revealed to Nadya the information, her lips thin into a frown.

Had the cleric not asked Jirel to shatter the gem, they could have— no. Breaking it was the best option. Thora’s soul was now free, she was resting in peace, not running around, lost, crying out... She only hoped her mother saw it the same way.

Nadya's hands wrap tightly around the reins of her dogsled. She doesn't say anything and for a moment it appears like she's going to cry, but then she steels herself. "Eta pizda. I weel mourn my daughter later. But first, I weel help you storm the Pale Tower and keel Nazhena Vasiliovna for what she has done."

Sera nods to herself as the others tell Nadya what happened to Thora. She knows Nadya would understand why they did what they had to, but silently resolves to speak with the others when they have a moment, to ensure they know that what they did for the girl was really a mercy. For now though, she merely gives Nadya a nod. "We would welcome you to fight beside us."

Jasun grimaced visibly as he put two and two together. "Oh, my." he said, remembering the events of the dolly. He closed his eyes briefly and hung his head for a moment, realizing what they had done. 

"Poor, poor thing." a playful, yet dispassionate, voice in his mind told him. "Such a shame. Oh, well! What shall the "Sun" of Halifax do now?" she asked, trying not to snort in a laugh.

"Will you stop listening in on my life?" he asked as patiently as he could, looking up at the sky, slightly, then turning to the others, especially Nadya.

"Oh, so that doll was, uh..oof..I, uh. Sorry about your loss, Nadya. I guess we, ah.." he cleared his throat, making a face of awkwardness, then was resolute. "I believe we shall indeed pay this Queen a visit."

As evening falls, Nadya finally manages to get you to her home village of Waldsby. In the village, you easily draw the attention of the villagers, who obviously haven’t seen people like you with the clothes you wear before. You overhear the villagers whisper to their children in some language you’ve never heard before. She takes some time to distribute food to the people of the village before leading to her house. "Thees has been an exhausteeng day. We weel attack the tower tomorrow." You enter her house to find an elderly woman watching over two young boys with red hair. She greets Nadya in a language you don't understand and the two of them have a brief conversation before the old woman heads out the door. "Everyone, these are my sons, Orm and Mjoli. Orm and Mjoli, these people weel be staying weeth us for the night, so be polite. Please, make yourselves at home. I weel start cookeeng up deener soon." 

Throughout much of the affair, Zaf kept his head solemnly bowed, and beak sealed shut. Hearing her resolve however, he strode a bit closer and asked, "Do you already have a means in mind for this attack? And others among your own willing to take up arms?" He asked. "We will of course keep our word of joining you, regardless. But, if you have any ideas or know of a means that might make it easier to reach the Queen and ... 'fix' things, we would hear it."

Whether he receives an answer or not before reaching her home, no more is forthcoming out of the male. Not until introductions are made, and in a subdued voice he just says, "Zaf.", still seeming in the process of mulling things over.

After breaking the news, Jirel would step back, joining in with the others' impromptu moment of silence for Nadya's loss. The goliath will stare down at the snow, watching it dance and sparkle with the wind. Things felt bitter and cold for that moment as the wind blew through her hallowed core. She'd wait for the others to break the silence before she'd look up to listen. Her eyes would dance from Nadya, to Sera, then to Jasun looking up at the sky. Wha-? Oh... And she'd snap her attention the quiet Zaf with his head bowed and beak shut, deciding to do the same for the travel ahead.

Though, as soon as the goliath would duck into the home and be introduced to Nadya's two young boys, her heart would fall out of her chest. The corner of her mouth would quiver into a gentle smile. She'd swallow to bring her expression back to as neutral as she could. Jirel would inhale softly. "Hi Orm. Hi Mjoli." She'd try her best to pronounce their names right. "My name is Jirel." Feeling as though she was towering over the children, the amazon will look for the barest corner to take a seat on the floor. This way she'd be out of the way to listen, and at the kids level should they wish to interact with her more.

Sera sweeps her eyes briefly across the kids and gives them a nod and even a slight smile. "Hey. I'm Seraphina, but most people stick with Sera."

Jasun looked at the children, smiled, and nodded in an introduction. "Jasun Halifax."

Hm. Nadya was taking the death of her daughter better than I expected. 

"Nadya, may I be of any assistance in helping you prepare the meal?" he offered. "I feel like it's the least I can do for..what we encountered..with your daughter. I think you'll find i'm an excellent help." he smiled.

Nadya was stronger than many, it seemed, seeing how she had been able to take the news of her daughters parting rather well (while she was sure on the inside she was breaking down, and simply didn't want to show it in front of them). Rose remains rather quiet from there on out, simply giving a small smile to the children shortly after being introduced to them by their mother. "My name is Rose. Thank you for having us." She gives a slight bow to the kids, her voice comes out softer than normal, wanting the children to not be afraid of the 7 foot fluffy giant in their home. 

Upon seeing Jirel take a seat on the floor, the cleric follows suit and takes a seat beside her.