Ismark nods and looks to the kitchen. “Alright. Go. Hunt.  And we won’t need it back.  Consider it a gift.”  

Talion raises his eyebrows in surprise, and bows his head slightly. "Thank you."

He then noisily rummages through the kitchen, searching for a suitable item. When (if?) he finds one, he lets out a satisfied "Aha!" and returns to the main room, carrying his trophy.

He walks over to Ismark and asks quietly, "Would me disappearing from this room for a few minutes be an unwelcome magic? Or should I do that ... outside?"

You rummage through the kitchen and your eyes stick to a beautifully vicious meat cleaver. Memories rush in and you’re almost overcome. Maybe....

Ismark grimaces. “Yes, please.  Somewhere else. Be warned, as I said, not many are as lenient as I am of outsiders.  These people are proud, but simple and superstitious, as you might imagine. You seem to hit it off with the mortu at the inn, maybe they’d let you do it there?”

Erven is looking through the house, just taking note of items, looking for interesting things, perks up at Ismark's comments.  "The mortu?  What would you say about them?  They seemed rather rude when we were carrying your father's coffin to the church."  He pauses a bit.  "I visited Bildrath at his store, the prices were through the roof!   But what are you going to do, I wanted some new armor and some other items.  Bildrath had me do some test where I cut my hair and he used a potion of some sort on it, to make sure I wasn't a vampire I guess.  Perry is an interesting one..."

Ismark nods, "There is no love lost between us, that's for sure."  

@DM: Is there much cover near by? An alley, a tree, a vacant property? Talion wants to return to his refuge, and do it away from prying eyes, and not in Ismark's house/land. Also, what times of day is it?

Talion nods and turns to Sho, "Would you mind helping me for a minute or two outside?" I wonder how choosy his lordship will be if we use magic he doesn't understand to save his brother. Or him. As if by asking us over for the night, he hasn't he already painted a target on his back? He shrugs. He knows his town, I guess.

If Sho agrees, he smiles thinly at Ismark, then packs his herbs and brasier in his pack, and picks up one of the barrels and heads outside with Sho.

After moving to a somewhat secluded spot nearby, he grins at Sho, "We'll have to stop meeting like this."

His gaze is drawn to the claw marks on the building and trodden path around the house. Attract attention, who is His Lordship kidding?

Returning his attention to his friend, Talion seems genuinely concerned. "Don't linger here. I have a couple of things I need to do, and there's no point in upsetting anyone until we know what's what...and who we want to upset." He looks back at the house, wondering if their shaky alliance will hold. I've seen worse beginnings.

"Can you ... mind my ring, and come back out here again in a bit over an hour? Maybe 90 minutes? But call my name if you need me sooner."

Quote from Ereshion >>

@DM: Is there much cover near by? An alley, a tree, a vacant property? Talion wants to return to his refuge, and do it away from prying eyes, and not in Ismark's house/land. Also, what times of day is it?

 It's around 6pm, dinner time when you're ready for it.  Ismark and Irek (mostly Irek) have prepared a feast to celebrate their father and his imminent burial.  Ismark is also happy that you have agreed to help his brother and thankful for the help you have already provided, and will provide, for his father's burial.

When you are all ready, we can skip to the dinner/afterwards, whatever you like.

OOC: if the dinner is imminent, Talion can do what he needs more quiclly (10 mins), but 1h10 would be nice. Sho may also not be willing to help.

Talion, it will take you 70 minutes to cast this spell, as a ritual.

* the time doesn't really matter, it won't be like they are waiting for you or anything.  it will happen when everyone is ready *

(( Good point re time. Was thinking 1+10! Assuming Sho is ok with it, Talion will go ahead ))

Once dinner is made Bertolt will gather his meal and return to the books. Once he finishes his food the smell of his pipe will fill the hair, enjoying it as he reads through the available material.

Everyone gathers into one of the larger rooms and Irek and Ismark work on bringing things to the table.  In no way would this be considered a grand feast but it's clear they've put effort into the meal.  There is some meat, breads, cheeses, some vegetables - hearty food certainly but nothing extravagant.  Ismark leaves and returns with a couple bottles of wine, a decent vintage.   Sadly, there are no deserts on the table...
He even puts a plate down for Lucky Bear, who has been following him constantly.  He rubs her skull - again, an odd experience to watch.  Lucky grabs a bone and begins to gnaw on it near the fireplace.

Ismark gets your attention:  "Please accept this meal as a meagre offering - for thanks in your aid already given and aid to come.  My brother means the world to me and getting him out of Barovia, out from under the gaze of that...thing...is of the utmost importance.  I wish I could come with you and help more but my responsibilities here keep me tethered."  And thank you for helping with my father.  At dawn, we go to say our final goodbyes."  He looks at Sho and Talion, adding "No, I have not forgotten the monetary transaction side of things.  And you will be richly rewarded when Irek is safe.  It seems the resources of even a lowly Burgomaster are not insignificant.  So, if you please, raise a glass.  To you, adventurers and to your success and long life!"  He looks at you all slowly before downing his glass.

Talion and Erven,

Quote from Ereshion >>

Talion nods and turns to Sho, "Would you mind helping me for a minute or two outside?" I wonder how choosy his lordship will be if we use magic he doesn't understand to save his brother. Or him. As if by asking us over for the night, he hasn't he already painted a target on his back? He shrugs. He knows his town, I guess.

If Sho agrees, he smiles thinly at Ismark, then packs his herbs and brasier in his pack, and picks up one of the barrels and heads outside with Sho.

After moving to a somewhat secluded spot nearby, he grins at Sho, "We'll have to stop meeting like this."

His gaze is drawn to the claw marks on the building and trodden path around the house. Attract attention, who is His Lordship kidding?

Returning his attention to his friend, Talion seems genuinely concerned. "Don't linger here. I have a couple of things I need to do, and there's no point in upsetting anyone until we know what's what...and who we want to upset." He looks back at the house, wondering if their shaky alliance will hold. I've seen worse beginnings.

"Can you ... mind my ring, and come back out here again in a bit over an hour? Maybe 90 minutes? But call my name if you need me sooner."

 Sho has been watching Talion scrounging around the kitchen. He follows Talion to make their unconspicuous exit as others are chatting away, as unconspicuous as it can be with the warlock packing along all the kitchen gadgets with him. 

"I take this is not a picnic." Sho says as Talion finds their spot. He eyes him deeply, the kind of gaze that looks at people directly down to their soul and back, though it's not like he's ever learned any other way. He simply nods at Talion's observation, seeming to concede. He takes Talion's ring and lets him do his business. 

"Each to their own I guess." Talion laughs, looking back toward the house, then fidgets slightly under Sho's intense gaze before speaking in quieter tones. "As if he has not already attracted enough attention with today's parade and his new house guests."

He shifts his pack on his back, then hefts the barrel. "Touch the ring to my hand...and come back in an hour and a half or so" he says, then disappears. Once more, there is a fain scent of incense left behind.

Sho:

Talion, around this time, you feel a pressure at the base of your skull.  It lessens somewhat and becomes more like a tickle.  The small hairs on the back of your neck raise up.  You have a very uneasy feeling but you don't know why...

Talion involuntarily shudders and turns to Sho, "Something doesn't feel right, let's get inside."

Mentally he asks if Osgar senses anything.

“They disappear like this all the time together, I don’t know what the hell they are doing.”  Erven is saying to Ismark, in the study.  “It’s been like that for a while.  I see that Lucky Bear has taken a liking to you!  Are you trying to steal my dog…?”  Erven grins at Ismark, calls Lucky Bear to him, now seeing her as she was before…