Hurmfar smiles in greeting to the rider.

"Aye, you can't be too careful these days," he begins. "We've been tasked by the court to dig here and there a bit and find out about these burnings. We was given the name of a wee lad that might have some information for us. Name of Quentin. Is he about?"

Owin hears the message in his head and it takes him a moment to figure out who's it is and where it came from. 

When he does, he looks back to Erbert and gives a nod of recognition, touching his temple while he nods. 

He looks back to the rider, waiting for his response to Hurmfar's question...

The man spits, a stream of brown liquid hitting the ground as Hurmfar mentions Quentin. "Quentin ain't home. Check out the taverns or even better, some gutter in town. Kid's on something if'n you ask me. Skein, probably. Or maybe Suude. Either way, the little shite isn't here much. Comes stumbling in around 2 AM every morning, eyes as big as dinner plates. Wouldn't surprise me to learn he was the firebug."

He's about to say more when another human rides up. Dark-skinned and handsome, he wears heavy plate armor and has his hair braided into one long black braid that descends down to his midback. "Back to your post, eh, Samuel?" The man you've been talking to straightens up and touches his cap to you. "Good luck, y'all. Faster you find this guy, the quicker we can get back to other jobs." 

He trots off, while the other man stays behind. "It is late and the Stump Family is all asleep, yes? My crew and I, we have our duties. You may call again in the morning, should you wish to speak to Ser Haliday Stump or his family. Until then, I must ask you to leave, eh?" The man is smiling slightly and his tone is friendly, but it is very clear that this is not intended to be a request.

Hurmfar nods his thanks.

“Aye. No blind horses here me mate,” Hurmfar says to the new rider. “We’ll come back after they’ve all had their fill of sleep.”

He turns back to the others and nods at Owin and his injuries.

”Lots of these armed buggers and we’re not at our best,” he says in quiet tones. “ May be best to back off and find this Quentin lad.”

"It's already quite late and they said he stumbles in around the early morning hours. I'd suggest turning in once more but chances are good that we'll meet him on the way back into town."

"Quite right.  I think it is time that we head back and get some rest for the night.  Thank you for letting us know about the Stump farm.  Will you be here tomorrow when we return?  Until then, good night to you."  Erbert waits to hear his reply then turns to walk to the road.

Owin smiles at the man on the horse, "Good evening, we will return in the morning." 

To the others he says: "Yes, let's get back... the evening is wearing thin for me. "

DM Screen

The walk back to the town of Felderwin from the Tillage is tense. Noachi, you get the feeling that you are being watched, especially as you get back to the main road --but the shadows and the massive scale of the fields make it hard to exactly sense where the eyes are you are originating from. You reach the crossroads that is about ten minutes from town. The feeling at this point intensifies, so that even Owin, Erbert, and Hurmfar feel it.

What do you want to do?

"Something has it's eyes on us,  Noachi. Do you see anything? " Owin says in a very low voice to Noachi as they approach the crossroads.. "I'd love to get through this evening without another scratch. One was enough, thank you..."

Owin grips his longbow, holding an arrow nocked in the string as he walks. 

(DM: I'll "help" anyone look around if they need it...for advantage, if you'll allow it)

Erbert casts mage armor on himself, AC is now 16.  

"Get ready everyone, I have a feeling we are being watched.  Someone or something is trying to lengthen our evening even more.  Wasn't there a mention of wolves lurking about?""

Perception : 12

Valhik removes his crossbow from his side and fits a bolt to it, looking out into the darkness.

Hurmfar lights a torch to add to the light available to them (assuming Owin had one going too).

He looks over at Erbert "You was able to talk to us without being close. Could another one of you canny types be spotting us with magic instead of actually watching us?" 

Erbert considers.  “Hmmm.  Scrying or observing us in some magical way?  Let me think...  I think we are dealing with some sneaky beasts or beings, but I guess it is possible.”

Arcana check :   8

DM Screen:

Noachi, working with Owin, the two of you manage to catch a glimpse of a fleeting shadow just under 60 feet from you -- towards the town, but off the light of the main road. As soon as you catch a glimpse of it, the shadow seems to recognize that it has been spotted and it flees, revealing itself to all of you. It is visible for just a moment before it disappears completely, heading towards Felderwin.

Silence and calm seemingly return to the Tillage -- whatever it was, it seemed to simply be observing you for now.

What do you want to do?

Hurmfar notes where Noachi and Owin are looking but he can't make anything out himself.

"Whatever's prancing about out there in the dark could be our firebug," Hurmfar says. "Or it's just some daft bastard off his head with drink thinking he's been more cunning than he is. That Quentin brat, maybe."

Hurmfar stops there when he catches sight of Owin and his injuries in the light.

"Och, sorry, mate. I'd no idea you was in such a bad way."

Hurmfar hums a single note, holding the tune for several moments while he concentrates on Owin's injuries.

(Casts Healing Word and cures 6 damage)

@Owin

“Noachi I agree with you, since we are headed that way anyway, let’s try to track them.  Anyone really good at that?”

Erbert heads in that direction, looking for footprints, tracks.

Survival :  13