Sandu - Sorvia fixes her gaze on you, "It is no worry dear.  No worry at all.  I just wondered what brought you all to my fair establishment.  I hope Ismark doesn't have you running fool's errands."  She smirks coyly.

Valerie was surprised by Sandu’s remark. That idea never came to her mind. She is about to say something but she is cut out by Sorvia.

She turns to Sorvia with a curious look. "What do you mean by fool errand?"

Dormark throws his  bag back on his shoulder and gets up from the table and stand by Sandu putting some distant between him and the woman.

Sorvia smiles coolly at Valerie, "Oh you know, he'll have you running all over Barovia before long... him and that sister of his." 

She laughs loudly, anyone can tell it is put on, and looks over to the other Vistani ladies who return her gaze and giggle quietly to each other. 

Noticing Dormark begin to leave she interjects, "Off to Vallaki with you all then, run along.  I'm sure Ismark is done meeting with Arik about now."  She winks unnervingly at Dormark.  "Besides its best not to keep Madam Eva waiting... Oh, you'll find her at the encampment next to Tser Pool.  I've heard she is very interested in all of you."

As if to punctuate her revelations she waves dismissively, turns on the spot, and joins the other ladies in their frivolities.

With a look of confusion the young dwarf just watch Sorvia leave and mutters "but how does she know..." before shutting up.

'Maybe this Madam Eva has some pull around here?' Sandu sounded as confused as the rest. The Vallaki part she could have overheard, perhaps they haven't been as inconspicuous as they thought, but how she knew that they planned on visiting Madam Eva was baffling. A sudden thought struck Sandu.

'Maybe this Madam Eva is a powerful mage?' He shrugged, though his eyes twinkled with excitement. 'If she knows we're coming, do you think she can see the future? Would be pretty cool.' Foresight would be a convenient tool to have. After all, knowledge is power and knowing what will happen before it happens would be most powerful. Sandu became almost giddy at the thought. 

“These people are strange,” Ioben says to Dormak as he makes his way out the front door. “I mean, their tone and her expression makes it seems like she knows something we don’t and is laughing at us.” 

Valzes eyes still trains on the lady for a moment after she left. Then she adverts her gaze to her companions. "Maybe she really does know the future."

”Magic can do many things, but a spy can uncover much as well. We should tread carefully down the road,” says Dormark heading for the door.

Afternoon - Day 3 - Departures & Farewells

The party makes its way back to the now-familiar site of the battered church.  Ismark stands outside, at the gate, with a number of small rucksacks, "All set?" he asks smiling kindly at the group of assembled adventurers.  Though this is only the third day they have spent in Barovia there is a comfort to be found in the demeanour of both Ismark and his sister, Ireena - an unusually bright spark in an otherwise bleak place.

Father Donavich stands in greeting, Alder at his side.  The man's voice is frail, yet you see a renewed determination in his eyes, he smiles kindly at Dormark (in particular), "Time to be on your way friends?  It warms my heart to see folk such as yourselves, outsiders to this place, take concern and aid those who have need." He beckons towards Ismark, who in turn looks sheepishly at the ground.

Alder takes the brief pause to speak up, "I... this place... I..." you see his jaw tense as he tries to articulate himself.  "There are things I have seen...  Images that no man, or woman, should have to bear witness to... Many a time I have...  evils have had to be committed in the name of good.  Wars fought to achieve peace."  Determinedly he continues on, "I have fought, I have killed, many times to achieve... goals which made sense... at least at the time.  Many battles fought were not my own."  Alder looks at the Father, who nods back at him, "I... I think I have found a purpose I can achieve here, in Barovia.  In this church alongside the Father."

Noticing Alder struggling the Father speaks up, "Alder has kindly agreed to stay here with me.  In truth, I did not know if I could stand to continue on with Doru... as he is."  His eyes begin to sparkle though he smiles through his grief, "But I find in Alder a soul that has seen much torment.  A soul that is crying out for the Morninglord's guidance."  The Father shrugs, "Besides, I could always use the company and someone to assist should Doru... well... should he become unmanageable."

Imploringly Father Donavich looks deeply into Dormark's eyes, "What we spoke of earlier... If you can...  help... my son..." he smiles at the thought.

Ireena shuffles awkwardly as the scene unfolds in front of her, "By the way you all talk it's as if we were saying out final goodbyes!".  She beckons towards the Old Svalich road leading to the West, "Best we set off".  She goes over to those remaining in Barovia - Alder and Father Donavich - and hugs them, "Take care both of you.  I hope you both find answers to the questions you seek.  Stay safe."  With that she moves next to Ismark and waits for the rest of the party to say their farewells.  

Sandu sheepishly scratched the back of his head as the group said their goodbye to Father Donavich. 'I- Uhm,' He kept his gaze fixed on a point to the side of the good Reverend, unwilling or unable to look him in the eyes, 'I'm sorry about what I said and did yesterday.'

To Alder he gave a silent nod. He did not know the man that well but in this gods forsaken land, any person would be missed. Sandu hoisted his backpack a bit higher, pulled his travel cloak tightly around him and with staff in hand started on the road to Vallaki.

"Alder, this place, it unsettles me. It feels like something is ever so slightly wrong. This is why I know my path leads elsewhere, but I hope you find peace and purpose here. Be well and stay safe." Ioben shakes hands with Alder in farewell and turns to head down the road with the rest of the group.

Sandu - Father Donavich nods his head, "All is forgiven and forgotten, Sandu."

Ioben - Alder clasps your hand firmly, "We must all follow our own path, it could be that ours may yet cross again."  He looks around at the Church and the village stretched out around him, "There is much good that I can do here."  As you turn to leave he wishes you "Safe travels!" and waves farewell.

Valerie bows to those who stay. "Farewell. We will see each other again." Then she joins Ismark and Ireena. 

“Father I promise to return when I’ve gain the powers to heal your son, till then may you find peace in your god. The both of you,” he says to Alder and the Father. Picking up one of the bags he bows to the both of them and then to Ireena and Ismark. “Thank you for your hospitality let the gods look after your souls,” he says turning away he heads after the others down the road.

Afternoon - Day 3 - On the Old Svalich Road

After the party bids it's farewells to Father Donavich and Alder they set off to the West, out of the Village.  Initially the path crosses through the fields outside of the village - they appear barren and empty, thick fog rolling over them.  After roughly half an hour you come to a river which flows a clear blue and extends for as far as the eye can see in either direction (to the North and South).  It spans around 50ft wide and looks around 10ft deep.  The road continues over a small bridge crossing the river .

((View from the bridge over the River Ivlis))

"The Ivlis River" Ismark grunts in answer to a question never asked.

The party continues to traverse the road, heading West.  At first the journey seems uneventful after you cross the Ivlis River, the sprawling fields are replaced with dark, fog-consumed, woods.

((Map of the current party location))

ALL - No more than a quarter of a mile away from the bridge a sound catches your attention; snapping twigs, looking in the direction the sound came from you see several dark shapes in the fog. They carry torches and pitchforks.  You do not believe they have seen you... yet.

Valerie gets in between the creatures and the party, and puts her hands on her sword handle.

Seeing the figures in the fog, Ioben slips off the left side of the road trying to remain out of sight, using the trees as an additional level of cover. Quietly he prepares his shortbow for trouble.

As he does so he listens intently, trying to see if he can make out anything from the mob. Perception: 21

Ioben's Perception check:

 ALL - Those attempting to hide from the figures please can you make Stealth checks.

Ioben Stealth: 18