Kina looks to her mentor, and utterly breaks down. It's the first time she's ever had to kill, and she's not convinced that her assailants were in their right mind. She cries fitfully into his shoulder for a few minutes until she finally calms down and wipes her eyes after apologizing for making the wet mess on his clothes.

"U-understood, master." she sniffles, taking a deep breath and remembering her training to clear her mind.

Rest doesn't come easy for Kina that night, but in the morning, her wound is redressed, and she goes to meet with her master to speak about what she's going to do next. Like it or not, she's a part of this, whatever it is, and she's not going to let 'The One' abduct anyone else and turn innocent minds into assassins.

She nods, "we can take care of that for you.  Come, we're just about to have dinner, I'll set a place for you, then we'll find a bed for you for the night."  She holds up a hand to beckon you down out of the wagon.  She then turns her head and whistles, and moments later a young lad pokes his head out of the house.  She calls to him, "come take care of the wagon and put the ox out to graze, and hurry so we don't have to hold dinner long waiting on you."  Roll a perception check.

Just as you are about to swing at the wagon, you find yourself taking a step away as it collapses under its own weight.  You hear a pair of weapons being drawn and turn to face the closing threat.

You are familiar with criminals being sent to work the mines in Undercity, so do not sense any subterfuge in her statement.

"Come, Little One," he beckons you into the garden to sit across from him.  His irony of nickname for you always brings a smile to your face.  "I was looking over the parchments you brought back with you.  Crude as the map is, it can only be of the Greymere Moor.  Many have tried to explore those swamps, but few have successfully returned from more than a very short incursion there.  If this illustration is accurate, they have a base almost 3 days march in.  Obviously whatever is happening has targeted you, and others, and will need to be stopped.  You will need help, but none here will be willing.  Too bad that lad Cade left last week, I'm sure he would have jumped at the chance.

You slice across the front of the first, eliciting a scream of pain, but he keeps coming and tries to return the favor.  Attack: 12 Damage: 4.  The second swings wide and tries to flank you, Attack: 10 Damage: 5 .  Their swings are transmitting their exhaustion, you think to yourself, the plan seems to have worked.

And another set of robes ruined, but they still fight on.  You can see the pain on each of their faces as they continue to press an attack.  First cultist:  Attack: 13 Damage: 1 .  Second cultist:  Attack: 10 Damage: 6 

Kina tilts her head.

"Cade? Oh, THAT Cade. Well, where was he going? Maybe I can catch up to him." she suggests.

"Rumor had it he was going to explore the mysteries of the deep forest to the west.  No way to know exactly where though, and the forest is vast.  That path lies to the west, the Moor is north by northeast."

Kina nods, looking a little deflated.

"Well, I suppose I'll have to scare up some support on the way. What settlements are between the Moor and here? I can always try the local guilds... though I can't really afford to pay a mercenary to help me. What do you suggest, master?" she asks.

"Why, thank you!  It's always nice to be appreciated," she looks over at the man sitting by the hearth with a mock frown.  He answers with a grunt, and takes another draw on his pipe.  She giggles, and glancing at you, "grab a seat at the table, fine sir, I'll have a plate together for you in but a moment."  A small boy sits in the corner of the kitchen, and she walks by, she taps his shoulder, "get our guest a measure of ale for his meal."  He jumps up, eyes bright at getting to help, and hurries about his task, bringing a full mug over to sit in front of you on the table.

OOC:  Lily returned to her own house, repeatedly looking over her shoulder with a frown.

"There is Westerville, to the west, and of course Carlisle to the east, both of which would be days lost traveling in another direction.  There are tracks that will lead you to Moorsedge, a small hamlet just south of the moors.  I would venture the ones that accosted you are not working alone.  If there is anyone else looking into this, the logical place to gather will be there."

"Who, Lily?  Ah, nevermind her, I think she has a few screws loose.  Went and vanished for the better part of two months, then showed up again out of the blue like nothing happened.  Her husband went off to find her, and he never did return, so her oldest boy has been tending to things over there."  She shakes her head with some sadness, as she sets a heaping plate of meat, bread and vegetables in front of you.  "Funny thing, I thought we were good friends before she left.  She barely talks to anyone anymore, and when she does, she keeps mumbling something about "The One.'  Just sad, I tell ya."

Kina nods.

"Moorsedge it is, then." she says, steadying herself.

"I just need to get a few things in order, and I'll be ready to leave. Every moment I'm here, the ones responsible for this senselessness are furthering their plans." she says, bowing her head.

"Thank you, master. I'll do my best to put an end to this"

Kina needs to replace the healer's kit in her pack and retrieve her quarterstaff. Fighting armed opponents, at least for the moment, seems a risk she's not yet experienced enough to take. Her staff will give her a reach advantage without giving up the versatility of kicking.