Having somewhat lost himself marveling over the nearby waterfall, Flux stumbles back in surprise hearing the new voice, before eventually recovering enough to spy the dragon rider... and mutter a curse. But rather than mince words with the rider, he instead tries to clasp a a hand on Ebele's shoulder long enough for a curt prayer and a whispered, "Get ready, lass. Sense will be squaring up shortly."

-Try to Cast (1st level)Cure Wounds on Ebele, restoring 6 HP.

Xalkas eyes the new figures warily. But stays quiet and as motionless as possible so as not to draw their attention to him any further. 

The white-haired half-elven courtier cautiously follows along through the ruined dwarven enclave, noticing the gleaming treasure in the water, but before she gets to share her observation her rescuers are confronted by another howling cultist and it's draconic steed. Not sure it could be tricked, Sabynn still decides to try to get the cultist to lower it's guard so that her rescuers could deal with it swiftly. "Apologies wind master, we are all new recruits to your sacred cause and are on a pilgrimage to your master to enlist ourselves into your service."  The half-elven courtier steps forward and says with a courteous graceful bow, accompanied by a small wind through her long white hair.

(Prestidigitation)
Persuasion/Deception: 28 (If less than 20 treat as 20)

Kerric would have confirmed that the caster's fan was not a magical item, it was more spellcasting aesthetics.

Ebele nods her head to Flux's whispers. She inhales a deep breath and is able to stand up a bit straighter thanks to his curing of some of her wounds.

The elven warrior didn't know this particular rider, simply that they asserted authority and resembled the same type of powerful caster as the one who slipped away. The obvious difference however, was that this one rode atop a winged mount and most specifically, a wyvern. Kerric recognized the wyvern by it's two scaly legs, leathery wings, and a sinewy tail topped with its most potent weapon: a poison stinger. He even knew the poison in a wyvern’s stinger can kill a creature in seconds. Extremely potent, wyvern poison burns through its victim’s bloodstream, disintegrating veins and arteries on its way to the heart.

Sabynn steps forward to address the wind master rider. Although none of them wear any symbols or attire identifying them as fellow Cultists of the Howling Hatred, there was something in her voice that'd always appear genuine.

The rider's eyes narrow and their nostrils flare as they lift their nose up at them, inspection each individual. They'd pick up that the group was obviously in a recent skirmish, and smelled like it too. Maybe they were tried and tested, or risked themselves to get here. They'd hold silent, then rub their chin in thought while their wyvern would shift it's weight with a huff. Then, their head would tilt for a moment.

"You really wish to speak to the Prophetess herself?" The skyweaver would grin. "As you wish." They'd say, slowly guiding their beastly mount backwards to make room. "After you, m'lady." They'd gesture for them to finish crossing the bridge and to start walking the path along the moat to the west.

The blindfolded monk's pointed ears twitch. A shiver sends goosebumps along her skin. Something was definitely off. Drumming her fingers quietly along her staff, Ebele then grips it in silent anticipation. She mutters something in dwarven only Flux could hear.

Flux

"Thank you most gracious wind master, but first, please tell me about this place and your prophetess, and in particular where you are holding that dwarven delegation." The white-haired half-elven courtier says with another courteous graceful bow and a warm, alluring and quite irreistible voice.

(Casting Suggestion, Wis save 15, deduct 8 due to unsettling words)

Flux refrained from looking to Ebele, but nodded slowly in agreement while reaching for his Warhammer. Yet, he keeps just short of drawing forth as the group's elven diplomat wove her request, and earned herself a very confused side-eyeing from the elementally empowered dwarf. "Eh... Just let things play out, or...?" He warily whispers to the others in common, or at least those  less at the forefront of the group for "negotiations". 

Flux refrained from looking to Ebele, but nodded slowly in agreement while reaching for his Warhammer. Yet, he keeps just short of drawing forth as the group's elven diplomat wove her request, and earned herself a very confused side-eyeing from the elementally empowered dwarf. "Eh... Just let things play out, or...?" He warily whispers to the others in common, or at least those  less at the forefront of the group for "negotiations". 

(Really, no one else? Alright then...)

Ebele's not shy at keeping her expression obvious. She was not impressed, frustrated even, with how her companions seem so complacent to just quietly follow along like a heard of sheep to slaughter. They were quite literally in the lion's den, now to be escorted to the head Lioness herself making them vulnerable while they were wounded. How many other lions in the herd will be collected on the way to her chamber? Perhaps they've already dismissed the cultist that got away. One that could easily blow what ever cover they had, if any, if it hasn't already been blown.

Rider Wis ST vs DC25: 12 - 5 (Unsettling Words)

However, Sabynn strikes up an informative conversation worthy to be considered as a stalling tactic. The rider would start to prattle on about this place to address her first question. "The Cult of the Howling Hatred established this temple in the southwest quarter of ancient Tyar-Besil, where the dwarves built this palace in this vast cavern upon the edge of a great chasm. Where the cavern’s glittering, mineral-encrusted ceiling rose high, the dwarves constructed the spacious plazas you see in which they carved towering statues, elaborate pillars, and enormous monuments." They'd gesture at some of the features present in the groups immediate vicinity like a tour guide. Their steed would grumble and huff, eying the talking meat sacks. "They worked the natural stone of the cavern and carved barracks and other living quarters into the rock, connecting them via lamplit passageways. Though it was a fortress, some commerce and art were present back when they had it, with a rudimentary bazaar and dwarven skalds filling the air with chanted verse. They say with the aid of a friendly djinni, the dwarves constructed this pyramid-shaped palace at the center of the cavern, surrounded by this moat that's fed by an underground stream. Dwarven innovation provided the cavern with light, fresh water, and sewage disposal. A pretty sweet dig for us to settle in." He motions for everyone to get off the bridge and get moving.

Remaining silent, the monk falls to the back of the group as they slowly begin filing by the rider and beast. Flux would then feel a pat, and then a squeeze on his shoulder before sensing there was no one behind him any more. Ebele broke off.

Ebele Stealth: 21

"Aerisi Kalinoth is the air prophet of the Elder Elemental Eye and leader of the Cult of the Howling Hatred. She's tall and slender, with dark hair and feathered wings that gently fan the air. She's said to have been a sheltered moon elf princess who grew up in a remote Faerie realm. Her parents had wished to protect her from the harsh realities of the world, but they only succeeded in spoiling her. When they tried to discipline their willful daughter, she used the power of elemental air against them. Soon after, her dreams led her to the ancient dwarven ruins where a legendary spear awaited her. She's beautiful, fierce, and just ruler who wields elemental power because she deserves it." He divulges with pride.

Ears twitching, nose flared, hands out, toes spread, her senses guided her like a cat on the prowl. Taking calculated steps to it's breaths, Ebele slips beneath one of the Wyvern's large wings and slinks off into it's shadows. Following along the radiating heat of it's body, she listens for the soft swish of it's poison stinger tail, feeling for any change in the breeze as she went. The half-elf was determined and committed. She inhales a deep steadying breath, timing her next set of actions before literally springing into action.

"Dwarven delegation... Dwarven delegation..." The rider rubs their chin in deep through, seeming to have to think a bit hard on this one. There were so many prisoners and people who came and gone, they were having a hard time taking their eyes off of, and picturing any one else except the courtier down below. "Ah yes. Those short, stout, stubborn folk are hard to tell apart!" They chuckle to themselves. "Well, I think I heard the peons complain about their stench getting pretty ripe in the south east corridors. I believe they're being held in the Shrine chamber. But that's far beyond where you're headed to see the Prophetess of course." They continue in effort to assure the woman.

Ebele Acrobatics: 23

The blindfolded monk takes a bit of a running start, leaps over a deep sway of the wyvern's tail and front hand springs, launching herself onto it's back. She runs along the side of it's spine scales, using her staff to balance her as if running a tight rope walk the length of the beasts body. Reaching the back of the rider, who was entirely focused on the group, specifically distracted by Sabynn, Ebele brings her hands together on the shaft of her trusted staff and launches herself into a full on reckless surprise attack.

"Naturally, the only place fit for the Prophetess would be within the Temple of Air-" Thwack!

Ebele opens up with a wide baseball bat swing to the Riders head for a stunning strike, then pulls back to drive an end of her staff into their heel to propel herself into a spinning kick to the neck.

Surprise Attack VS Rider

Attack 1: 24 Damage: 10
     1 Ki use, Stunning Strike Con DC13: to be stunned until the end of next turn
Attack 2: 19 Damage: 5
BA Unarmed Strike: 21 Damage: 4

Rider Con DC13: 14

Slamming her foot down, Ebele grounds herself at the backs of the cultist and their steed. She throws her arms open with her staff, making herself appear larger than she is, and tilts her head back to let out a deep guttural roar as if challenging the Wyvern to stand down and respect her authority.

Action: Intimidation
Ebele: 17 vs Wyvern: 8

The large beast's wings flap and it's tail sways aggressively as it rears it's head to let out a hiss of disgust at the idea that a weak cultist rider has been upon it's back commanding it. It seethes with anger to rid themselves of such a flea. It's limbs flex, claws gripping into and cracking the brick pathway beneath. The wyvern bends a knee to the weight of the monk's foot against a pressure point.

Raction Time

Roll Call: Everyone, or anyone wanting to react, before the baddies start their turn.

Kerric:

Standing by quietly as his silver-tongued allies plied the cultist for information, Kerric leaps into action as Ebele unilaterally decides negotiations are over with a resounding thwack!

Kerric’s Initiative:  11

Kerric (if he gets to go before the enemies do):

Using his athletic prowess to climb up the Wyvern with blinding speed (Athlete feat), Kerric comes up on the other side of the cultist from Ebele and draws his blade, slashing twice at the evil air cultist!

Athletics to climb:  26

Bonus action Feint (uses one superiority die)

Eleven Curved Blade:  Attack: 20 Damage: 13 plus Superiority damage: 7

Elven Curved. Blade:  Attack: 18 Damage: 11

The white-haired half-elven courtier listens attentively with a polite smile to the flood of more or less useful information streaming from their host. She admittedly enjoyed how she could influence others to share information with her, a particularly useful tool for a courtier to use. The then smiles as the blindfolded monk with impeccable timing strikes, and she follows suit by unleashing a string of  classy insults laced with subtle enchantments.

Cast Vicious Mockery towards the cultist. Wis save 15 or Psychic: 4 and disadvantage on the next attack roll.

Sabynn then steps back, hopefully out of immediate danger.

The lack of responses from the others, or at least a willingness to risk a whispered sidebar left Flux equally as frustrated by the others as Ebele. But being neither of the big brained thinker persuasion or of a desire to "shake the boat" while under contract, he'd grumble instead and bite back any burgeoning desire to demand more clemency least an already tense and tenuous situation erupt too soon into conflict.

... That said, following Ebele's signalling and subsequent "disappearance" from even his considerable perceptive abilities, he couldn't help grinning and rolling his shoulders a bit in anticipation of what was to come next. In the meantime, he continued to listen to the wyvern rider prattle on with far more interest than he might've otherwise given another, what with the mention of a Djinni involvement in things in the past. In fact, could that Djinni be around to this day? And if so, did it now serve the howling hatred, or worse yet bare some grudge against his kind and kin given the current state of things?

Such questions and more that drifted in mind might've left him deaf and blind to the ambush by Ebele. But fortunately, a wyvern's roaring more than suitably jump started that focus once more!

"Ho, ho, ho! Well ya be hearing the lady, don't cha ya oversized lizard! So both of ya be showing some due deference now and GROVEL!!" He demands with such conviction that -- if only for a moment -- both Wyvern and Rider could see floating behind Flux a giant darkened menace made of storm clouds and lightning the avatar of a god.

Action: Casting (2nd level)Grovel on both Wyvern and Rider (and hope the wyvern is trained enough to understand the word. T.T)! Wis Save(DC 16) or both use burn their next turn to prostrate themselves.

Movement/Position(if able): Position 15ft away from the pair/closer to the pyramid.

Initiative6

Herse moves.to the top.of.the bridge are in both hands and waits

Sabynn initiative: 24

(Oh, and I guess if initiative is still needed: 9.)

(Sorry for delay. Life has been crazy)

Xalkas listens attentively to the riders speech. Jotting down an occasional note. When Ebele surprise attacks the rider, he hurriedly puts away his note taking implements and prepares for a fight. 

initiative: 17 (game log)

Argent Alliance | Wyvern | SWA(invis) | SWB(mounted)
(Finishing the narration of the surprise round. Apologies for delay, was touring northern us.)

With two effective strikes, Kerric slashes deep into the cultist, cutting them down a notch. They still stood. And it kind of stung when the pretty little courtier started to insult them. His feelings were pretty hurt.

SWB ST vs Sabynn: 1

Argent Alliance | Wyvern | SWA(invis) | SWB(mounted)

With a screech and a chatter, the wyvern lowers it's other knee, coming to kneel. It huffs, puffs and chuffs. It's tail even sways. However, it grovels to the command, reinforcing Ebele's demand.

Wis ST: 10

Argent Alliance | Wyvern(Prone) | SWA(invis) | SWB(mounted)

Thunk.Grumble.

The mountain cultist, bleeding severely from his wounds, reaches out to touch Kerric's shoulder.

VS Kerric
Casting: Shocking Grasp Attack: 10 Damage: 6

Argent Alliance | Wyvern(Prone) | SWA(invis) | SWB(mounted)

With the wyvern under the influence, she focuses all the attention on the cultist and presses her attacks. Two successful whacks with her staff followed by a kick, which misses.

Attack: 26 Damage: 6
Attack: 20 Damage: 6
BA - Unarmed: 9 Damage: 4

Argent Alliance | Wyvern(Prone) | SWA(invis) | SWB(mounted)

Roll Call: Everyone!

Kerric:

Dodging the poorly-aimed spell, Kerric continues swinging at the cultist, trying to bring him down before he can attempt to regain control of the Wyvern he is riding!

Elven Curved Blade:  Attack: 1 Damage: 13

Elven Curved Blade:  Attack: 14 Damage: 15

(Forgot the +8 for the attack, so those are straight d20 rolls.  Should be 23 and 17 to hit)

Sensing her rescuers have the situation much under control, the white-haired half-elven courtier simply continues unleashing insults laced with subtle enchantments towards the howling hatred sentinel.

Cast Vicious Mockery towards the cultist. Wis save 15 or Psychic: 5 and disadvantage on the next attack roll.