Arisys looks from Kira to Devon and back again. "Looks like what? Who was shaken up?" She looks expectantly at Kira. 

Kira sighs. "Like we mentioned earlier, we ourselves have never encountered the rumored creatures around Oakhurst. But a couple months back, one of Devon's friends was attacked."

"He barely made it out alive," Devon cuts in. "He got lucky."

"He was smart," Kira counters. "He brought weapons; he knew how to defend himself." She refocuses on the group. "Over the past twelve years or so, these mystery attacks have gotten more frequent. At first, there were no survivors to question, only bodies with wounds that no beast native to these parts could have caused. But, recently, people have finally become more vigilant, and a few have lived to tell the tale of the creatures."

"What of these creatures then? You seem to have some ideas," Genken purrs as he walks past Kira and Devon from his tailing spot to find a place to sit comfortably.

The third merchant, Talia, begins tethering the horses as Kira and Devon sit near the fire with you.

"We don't know much more than that. They seem to be the same type of creatures as the ones responsible for attacking my friend, and likely all the similar attacks over the years. I've got no clue what they are or where they come from." Devon shrugs helplessly.

"Are there any sort of pattern with the attacks? Were they concentrated in a specific area?" Summer asked, rubbing her chin as she listened to the story.

"Not much pattern except that they never happen during the day or within the town's borders. And they seem to be fairly scattered," Kira says. You can tell she's been trying to piece this together as well, and it frustrates her that she doesn't have all the answers.

Genken scratches his chin with a clawed finger, "Hmm, makes sense that plants like these wouldn't attack within the town but rather in the forest to maintain camouflage. Perhaps someone is testing the town's security? Or someone or something has moved near the town recently and tries to protect its territory without realising proximity to the town and road? Whatever the case though, these are not natural. Something has surely brought them about." He looks back and forth along the road. "Should we continue moving for the evening and take turns sleeping in the cart, or set up watches for the night here?"

"I mean, we set up camp, we might as well use it," Devon says, then looks to Kira for approval.

She nods, and adds, "We'll be extra vigilant on our watch tonight. I have no doubt that the eight of us can take care of any other creatures that decide to attack."

"Maybe we can ask around for more information from locals in Oakhurst when we get there tomorrow. It would be good to know when the attacks started, and if their is any pattern to their movements." Arisys sits back to finish her meal that was so rudely interrupted by the plants. 

Summer sat next to Arisys, grabbing her food. She ate very quietly while eyeing her comrades. "We should definitely take shifts and make haste at first light."

Ondrej wanders around the edge of the camp, poking bushes with a javelin, trying to find more plants that come to life.

Ondrej, you don't find anything in the bushes aside from a single, very startled rabbit.

The forest grows darker and colder as you finish your meal around the fire. Some of you turn in to sleep while others set up to take first watch. The night passes without event, and as dawn breaks, you all begin to awaken. Drowsily, you pack up the camp and pile into the carts for the last leg of your journey. It only takes an hour or two of travel before the small village of Oakhurst comes into view. The farmland and pastures on the outskirts of the village quickly give way to cobbled streets and simple houses. Your wagons seem to be a point of interest for the townsfolk you pass on the streets - it's evident they don't get many visitors. You reach the central square, which, among other buildings, contains a tavern, a blacksmith, and a general store. Kira pulls the horses to a stop.

"Right," she says, turning back to face you. "This is where we leave you. Good luck on your quest."

Arisys hops down from the wagon, collects her belongings and turns to Kira, "Thank you very much for bringing us this far. I think we are looking for the Old Road. You don't by any chance know which direction that is from here do you?" Arisys looks about her trying to gather her bearings. 

Genken hops down off the cart, brushing the dust and dirt of the road off his clothes. He looks around the town, taking in it's quaint setting compared to the bustle of the city he was used to. Genken keeps an eye out for anyone that seems to be paying them specific interest, such as someone trying to tail or spy on them, rather than just the usual townsfolk curiosity (Perception: 15).

(OOC - haha I hate these dice sometimes.)

Genken, you don't notice anybody suspicious. Everyone seems to be genuinely curious about the new arrivals.

"My pleasure," Kira responds with a warm smile. "Unfortunately, I'm not very familiar with the town. I'm sure if you ask around someone will point you in the right direction."

"Thank you again Kira. At least we will get to meet some people while we are here. Maybe they know something about magic apples and walking plants." Arisys anxiously awaits her companions hopping from foot to foot. Reaching Oakhurst has renewed her excitement for this adventure. "Where should we go first?"

Lar-Dun will ask the first person who comes close enough, ""Hey there, we're new to town and need to know where the Old Road is. Also, we encountered some walking plants on the way here, and heard of magic apples. Can ya tell us anything about that?"

"There's no beating around the bush for you. Direct and straight to the task at hand. I like that." Arisys nods in approval to Lar-Dun's direct approach. "Well, you learn something new about people every day." 

The person you approach is a male human who looks to be in his late teens. He has a mop of blond hair and wears a brown cloth apron. He's been watching you since you arrived in the square, and looks like he's having some sort of internal debate. When you mention the magic apple, his expression solidifies - he's figured out whatever he was contemplating. "Garon will want to speak with you," he says, then turns around and walks toward the tavern, leaving no time for you to respond.

At some point during your brief conversation, the merchants departed. Their carts are no longer in sight.

"Well, I don't know if I helped us or hurt us." Lar-Dun says, turning to the others. "Oh well, in any case, I guess we should talk to this Garon person."