"I'm traveling. Splintfork was meant to be just another stop along the way. I planned to stay a few weeks, find what work I could, and move on," Kallista replies with a small shrug.

Tender nods, offering a quick grin. "Oh, me too, actually! I miss the monastery, but travelling has been nice. I've seen so many amazing things!" 

"I'm glad to be far from my home." Kallista's tone shifts and her voice becomes quieter as memories that she'd rather forget fill her mind. She pushes them back, focusing her gaze on the horizon to ground herself.

Tender watches her for a moment, her grin fading just a bit before turning her gaze forward again. "I didn't want to leave mine," she admits softly, with a sigh. "But I had little choice."

"It seems we are quite the opposites, then," Kallista observes with a humorless chuckle. "For the longest time I wanted to leave, but was never able to."

Tender rallies and offers a bright grin at Kallista's observation. "Well, at least we're here, now, yes? Some strange mystery to solve together!" She seems fairly cheerful about the prospect, at least outwardly.

Kallista lets out another laugh, this one more genuine. "Strange is certainly one way to put it. Disappearing merchants, creatures attacking us in the woods..." She trails off, shaking her head. This was far beyond anything she had experienced before.

Fletcher pipes up again, seemingly out of his revery "where are you from Kallista?"

"Nofaremata, originally. Small town. Doubt you've heard of it unless you're from the area." She answers, turning her attention back to him.

She nods. "Briefly. Why do you ask?"

(It seems like the interaction/rp has died down a bit. Does now seem like a good time to arrive back in Splintfork?)

(That's good with me)

(same here)

(ditto)

As you arrive back at Splintfork, a group of guards and Orden eagerly await your return. Upon seeing you, Orden approaches and welcomes you back. "How was the trip? Did you recover the supplies?" He asks.

Fletcher dumps a bag of stones at Ordens feet. "you have some explaining to do"

Orimdal steps forward. "I think what my young friend here means ta say is that things have no added up entirely at this point. The bag before ya was just some o' the 'supplies' on the merchant's cart. Who would wish ta bring ill tidin's ta yer village here?"

Kallista hops down from the carriage, walking up to the others. "The merchants had disappeared, and we were attacked by strange creatures in the woods," she adds. "I certainly hope those weren't associates of yours. You aren't trying to get us killed, are you?" She removes a dagger from her belt and starts flipping it over in her hand.

Tender hops down from the horse and wanders over to stand on Fletcher's other side, peering at Orden curiously. "Bit strange, isn't it?" she hums, toeing the sack on the ground. 

Fletcher seems surprised that people are backing him up, but quickly refocuses.