Two horsemen ride up to a tavern...

Ascian pauses midway to the door, his back to Callahan even as the firbolg addresses him. The words are as unexpected as they aren't, the same sentiment the others had danced around but none had quite come out to say; the same he's heard from others his whole life. He waits for guilt, or fear, or shame - any of the things that Kaed's words of  You were part of something that went too far, was too cruel and you struggle with it, good, you should,  tell him he should feel. Instead, he just looks back at Cal, lips set in a pale, calculating line as he finds his innate reaction isn't irritation or indignation or even protest, but just a pure, simple,  I know. Somehow, he thinks that might be worse. Callahan walks off and Thrandimir chooses that moment to make his entrance; Ascian watches as the wizard slides down the bannister, beaming, possessing in one moment more exuberance than Ascian has ever exhibited in a lifetime. He lingers silently as the party favors are handed out, taking one as it's offered and informing Thrandimir flatly,  "I'm going outside."  Drifting up the stairs, he winds his way through the gathering crowds before exiting onto the tavern's terrace and sitting back against the bannister, dropping his head back and considering the sky as he inhales the smoke and exhales it back to Callahan's stars above.

Kou initially moves to follow after Cal but Thrands theatric entrance brings a smile to his face. Patting the wizard on the shoulder and says  "Your exuberance  is just what we needed Thrandimir." He reaches out and takes a smoke from the Wizard "I normally don't indulge but by working together today we achieved  greatness and it is something that should be celebrated."  Kou takes a deep puff that causes him to cough a bitm looking back towards the Wizard he says "How is Erika doing?"

"Well, I will keep you company while you damage your lungs, old man, the smokeweed you can keep for yourself. " Kaed answers, even as he looks over the new attire being worn by Thrandimir. "I think I like the grey better if I'm honest. But never mind. I will get myself some more mead and join you outside soon." He makes his way over to the bar. Seeing Cal he smiles and nods as he orders another drink, as he waits for it he says , "I am going outside with Thrandimir, I suspect you do not wish to be with us, but you will always be welcome Cal." Thanking Na'arik for the drink he heads off after the wizard.

As Katrin and Rose descend the stairs, they see Wendell scraping his boots off on the doorframe. He looks up, surprised to see Katrin. "Oh, g'devening, Katrin," he says. He turns to Rose. "Look, I know you've got that party all planned out for me-" Rose cuts him off. "Yes, let's go to the tavern. There's a celebration." She smiles. "The food will keep, and it is your  birthday after all." The trio heads up the road toward the tavern. "Katrin, I wanna thank you for getting the grain back," Wendell says. "Little help goes a long way, and you sure went above and beyond. We appreciate it."

"It was well worth it. There isn't a lot that I wouldn't do." She pauses, and narrows her eyes in thought. "I wonder if they have cake."  Rose laughs, and grasps Katrin's hand in her own. "Well, if they don't, we do. Mama's special recipe." She looks at her dad. "I wish she was here. She would have loved you, Katrin. I just know it."  Katrin squeezes Rose's hand comfortingly. Rose looks at her with a sad smile, then shakes it off, a determined smile coloring her face. "But lets not be sad tonight. Mama wouldn't've wanted that. Especially on your 51st birthday." Rose nudges her dad playfully. The trio continue to make their way to the tavern, laughing and reminiscing.    

Katrin can see Ascian, Erika, Kaed, Kou, and Thrandimir outside on the tavern balcony as she ascends the hill with Rose and Wendell.  Ascian's near-tired state heightens as he smokes. Standing on the balcony with the others, he can feel a chill wind coming from the west. For just a moment, it looks like a flurry of snow swirls across his vision. But he blinks and it's gone.

"Well Kou, if you need to know I'm doing well enough."  Erika had silently approached the group on the balcony, now clad in what looked to be an elven style of black dress with a gold colored trim. Even with the long sleeves, the bandages on her right arm were still a little visible. She still wore the glove on her right hand, even though it looked out of place with the rest of the garment. "I'd smoke, drink, and party, but doctor's orders say light activity. I'm glad to see all of you enjoying yourselves." 

"Right as rain," Thrandimir tells Kou with a nonchalant shrug, nodding towards the elf. "Can't promise she'll stay that way if she doesn't rest that arm in a sling, but that's her business." The wizard rests on the edge of the balcony, puffing on his pipe and looking out over the villagers' celebrations. "We did why they asked... but that 'city' isn't going anywhere. I fear it won't be long before the orcs return in greater numbers. Has anybody seen Marianne?"

Regretting his apparently popular choice of refuge, Ascian is only half-listening to the others, staring out to the west, body still tingling with the aftereffects of a misplaced shiver. Snow again.  And it was snow, of that he was certain - if just for a moment. Just like last night. Disquiet stirs lazily against his ribs; had the day's events worn on him more than he knew? He hasn't been well-rested in years, but this has taken him off guard. Tired grimace pinching his brow, he rubs his eyes with his thumb and middle finger, taking little solace in the glint of silver his raised right hand provides. "Not since we arrived,"  he mutters, looking down at the smoldering wrap of herbs held loosely in one hand against the parapet and simultaneously compelled to both inhale it deeper and stamp it out. "If she's needed, I'll find her."

"Not if I find you first," Marianne says, exiting onto the balcony behind the group. She begins pulling small pouches of jingling metal out of a small haversack. "I assume you have something to report? What did you find, and what information do you have?"

Thrandimir turns and nods to Marianne in respect. "The Orcs spoke of one of their own named Duar'ken. He dwells in Ore'Agah - a well fortified Orcish city. It lies at the source of the Baer river. This Duar'ken has encouraged them to rise up and take back 'their' lands in the name of Chief Ikkath."

"How did you find the location of Ore'Agah?" she asks, her expression showing a flicker of surprise. "Better than you have tried and failed to find it -- to find any orcish city."

"We took captives and asked them nicely," Thrandimir explains off-hand with an uncaring shrug. He holds up his palm and conjures an image of the stone that they found carved with an eye. "When you control the senses, you can make even the most hardened of warriors talk. Perhaps those that came before failed because they were 'better'."

When Katrin spots her new-found "friends" all gathered on the upstairs balcony, she turns to Rose. "I'll be right back. I need to take care of a little business first." She pecks Rose on the cheek, and stomps her way up the stairs. She may be tall and slim for a dwarf, but she was still a dwarf. She approaches from the back, coming up to stand near Marianne, catching the end of Thrandimir's recollection of the days events.  

"No offense meant by 'better,' just a statement of relative ability and skill," she states casually, while examining the illusion. "You have this stone with you?"

Kou reaches into his pack and removes the Stone and the green emerald he found with it. Handing it to Marianne he says " I am very interested in hearing any knowledge you are willing to share on this relic. It was obviously of great importance to the Orcs we encountered." nodding to Thrandimir  "Though there have been some disagreements on what it represents."

Marianne takes the stone, leaving the emerald in Kou's hand. She inspects it closely, peering at it with violet eyes. There's a pulse of pale yellow light from her hands, and she raises an eyebrow. "This is a sending stone. One of a pair. You didn't hear any messages while you had it, no?"  She hands the stone back to Kou and points at the emerald. "That is either your retirement fund or an elemental gem. Do be sure not to break it open while inside my tavern, if you please."

Kou bows his head "Thank you for providing your wisdom Marianne. I have not heard any messages yet, but will remain vigilant. Are you able to discern what type of elemental is trapped within the emerald?"

"If I'm not mistaken, emerald means water," she says, still eyeing the sending stone. "What do you think that eye symbol represents?"

Kou shrugs "I'm not sure, I haven't seen anything like it before. Though Thrandimir believes it to be the symbol of Gruumsh an Orcish deity, though my own studies have indicated that the orc's do not have any gods. It is something of a mystery to us." 

She raises an eyebrow at this. "My knowledge would match your studies, Kou," she says. "But this symbol may indicate a change in their theology. An eye...hmmm." She trails off, her focus turning inward. She thinks for a moment. "Well, regardless," she says, recovering slightly. "You've had quite a busy day." She begins handing out the small sacks of metal. "Here is your payment." She hands an extra one to Kou. "Make sure this gets to Callahan."

Thrandimir takes his pouch and counts out five gold pieces, before passing them wordlessly to Ascian. "Perhaps we should ask them," he tells Marianne provocatively, eyeing the sending stone with intent. "Do you speak Orcish?"

She shakes her head. "I do not," she says. "I can understand it through magical means, but it isn't a language that I know."

Thrandimir grunts in dissatisfaction. "I find myself in the same predicament. If we are to learn more of these orcs, then sooner or later we must speak to them in their own tongue."

"Best discussed on another day," Marianne says. She looks at Kou, the sending stone still in his hands. "Don't lose that."

Katrin reaches over and grabs the small bag meant for Callahan. "I'll make sure he gets this." She looks over the group. "Not sure he wants to talk to you lot anyway."  Judging by the fact that Cal was sitting alone at the end of the bar whilst everyone else was out here was all the hint she needed. She knew what it was like to need space. Today had been hard for the Firbolg, and she knew that some of her own actions caused him alarm. She turns, and galumphs back down the stairs, stopping at the bar on her way back over to Rose and Wendell. She places the coins on the counter. "Today wasn't what you expected. Wasn't what I expected either." She doesn't make eye contact, instead choosing to stare over at Rose. She had never been much good with saying stuff. Perhaps she shouldn't have said anything at all.  "I hope to see you tomorrow. You're a good man. And maybe that's just what we need." She passes by him, making sure to grab a pitcher from the bar before heading over the corner table Rose had managed to snag.

Kaed hefts the bag in the palm of his hand, a broad smile playing out on his young face, he opens it, taking out a coin, admiring it for a moment. " This was a good day, glory in battle, a group of friends to share it with and the rewards of doing good." He flips the coin in the air watching it spin over and over before his long, strong fingers effortlessly pluck it out of the air. "It is only the beginning I feel, we have a saga to write with our deed still."

Eventually the celebration dies down. Farmers return to their homes, tavern guests meander upstairs to their rooms. Wendell Westbrook returns home, grateful for the celebration, while Rose stays the night with Katrin in the tavern.  Ascian closes his eyes again, and finds himself in the shadow-tavern once again. Rather than walking for the day, he simply moves to the balcony where he smoked with the group earlier that night. The snowstorm billows in the west, and the air coming from that direction raises gooseflesh on his exposed skin. His skin? Is it his? The ring isn't there. The sun crests over the horizon the next morning. Light filters through the curtains onto the faces of last night's celebrants, rising them from their slumber -- no matter how hungover they may be. Kou rises and gathers his things. As he touches the eye-engraved stone, it is surprisingly warm to the touch. As he grasps it, a voice fills his head, in the language of the orcs. It is interrogative and gruff, and then waits for a response.

Surprised at the sudden intrusive voice, it takes Kou a moment to recall that he should be remembering the Orcish words in his head. Unfortunately he doesn't have any writing utensils on him. Running down to the bar, he does his best to try to keep the unfamiliar phrases in his head as he looks for a paper and a quill. Seeing a piece of chalk near the Firbolg Kou grabs it and begins writing what he remembers on the counter top of the bar. 

Cal silently takes the bag of coin from Katrin, giving her a slight nod as he looks back down. After a moment he reaches into his sack, digging around before pulling out a small waxy-carton tied closed with a thick strand of twine. Loosening the knot, he opens the small container and retrieves a thin line of chalk from within, the off-white colored utensil chipped on on end. Cal draws a small " X " on the side of the coin pouch and lets out a sigh, placing the chalk down on the counter for a moment in order to stash the pouch in his bag. At that moment, Kou bursts in through the door, frantic and hurried, he races towards the bar, mumbling under his breath some strange sounds before snatching the piece of chalk from beside Cal and writing erratically over the countertop. Cal barely has time to react before Kou finishes, dropping the chalk down beside himself, which Cal quickly retrieves. The man seems frustrated and focused in a way Cal had not seen him before, so he craned his neck up to try catching a better glimpse of what had been scrawled.

Katrin rises early that morning. She feels....restless. The previous days events, the knowledge that they gained. She knows that it's only a matter of time before they go searching for the Orc city. After a few moments of restless pacing, she grabs her sword, removing it from it's scabbard. She lays it on the ground, the tip pointing north. She glances over at Rose, ensuring that her love is still sleeping. She kneels at the hilt and places her hands on either side of it, closing her eyes. Quietly, she intones a short prayer, in her native Dwarvish. "God of the Flame, grant me strength. Lord of the Forge, bless this steel. May it bring justice to your enemies." She opens her eyes. The sword glows briefly with a white radiance. She picks it up, returning it to it's scabbard. She can feel the power humming through it, and smiles. She hears a soft chuckle, and looks over. Rose is sitting up, watching her. "What?" "Nothing. Just watching. Why don't you come back over here now? Still have some time before the sun fully rises." Rose beckons coyly. As much as Katrin wants to, the sword in her hand tells her otherwise. She walks back over, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I can't. At least, not right now. Besides, I'm hungry. What say you we have breakfast?" She takes Rose's hand.  Rose sighs. "Alright. We should make ourselves presentable though."  Ten minutes later, Rose and Katrin descend to the tavern proper, and begin their foray into breakfast. 

The night of celebration had gone splendidly in Kaed's mind, he had laughed and drank, eaten and joked with his friends. He was glad he had tried to help Cal, but knew it hadn't really fixed the firbolg, but that was ok too, time sometimes was needed as well as sage advice. As he climbed the stares all was beginning to quieten in the tavern, although some brave folks were carrying on, clearly without fear of the raging headaches that would find them come morning. He reached the door to his room and turned the handle, entering quietly, the room was dark, only starlight from the tiny window gave any illumination once the door closed again behind him, all was black, and then it wasn't. Suddenly, the room changed to a grayscale, and the detail sharpened for Kaed, it was as though he could see in the dark, as he had been told the dwarves and other races could. He stood still, his heart in his throat, the need for sleep temporarily forgotten, he turned to the small wash stand, thinking some water on his cell might clear his mead addled mind but as he stood in front of the bowl his eyes flicked past the small mirror and he froze in horror and curiosity. Staring back at his was his own face, Unchanged except that his grey eyes were now red, again like the other races he knew who could see in the dark. He stepped back and a cool breeze caught him from the open window and he felt, rather than heard, a faint trace of laughter on the wind. He stared out, thinking of the possibilities, and he kept coming back to the stories from his people around his uncle, who had been driven out when he himself had only been a small child for bringing darkness and being a thing of the shadow world when his anger was up. Kaed felt no anger now, only a hint of fear, and another gently growing spark that there could be a blessing here as well as a curse. Sleep didn't come easily but it came in time. Waking feeling the strains of the previous day fully gone from him and blessedly free of a hangover Kaed rose, checked his eyes in the mirror, they were back to their usual cold grey, and apart from looking a little pale he seemed his usual self. Never one to dwell on problems he walked down stairs, ordering a large cooked breakfast, going over to greet the others, while he waited for it, catching Kou's story to Thrandimir about the sending stone. The tribesman waiting quietly as the other discuss magical plans.

Thrandimir is up early, poring over his spellbook and hastily scribbling down notes amongst its pages. There are some ideas that he has been working on for some time, like how to create an illusion so real that its effects become truth. Yesterday's battle had provided just the insight he needed to complete the formula. However, once the penny dropped it was like a river of arcane insight that had been undammed and would not abate until the wizard had committed every concept to paper. Setting his quill aside, Thrandimir looks down at his handiwork with satisfaction. True, it had consumed much of his arcane writing supplies - a small fortune, in fact - but what he had created was a mark of true power. The ability to pass unseen in plain sight, to rapidly vanish evaporate when in danger, or to manipulate the will of others. The wizard grins wickedly in eager anticipation of the opportunity to put these new spells to the test. Upon arrival in the common room, Thrandimir orders a hearty breakfast of meat, cheese and bread. He greets those of his recent companions who are present and begins to dig in with gusto. It isn't long before Kou's antics catch his eye. "What are you up to? " The wizard asks, mildly amused.

Looking up at the wizard Kou sighs and shakes his head "The stone activated during my morning meditations, and I had not  had a chance to restock my writing supplies since I left the C itadel . I did my best to remember and write down the phonetics of what was said." gesturing to the chalk writing hastily written across the bar top  "Would your magics help in deciphering what we have so far?"

Erika awoke in a cold sweat. She barely remembered anything, but she swore she was just having a nightmare. It had something to do with the Orc and her injury, which despite having been treated, hurt like hell. She turned to look at her arm, and saw the wound was opened again, a blade of shadow sticking out of it. It whispered to her, told her horrible secrets, causing her extreme pain. Her right hand was exposed, the star marking on the back of it bleeding. She grabbed the hilt of the sword, feeling its disturbing, shadowy material in her left hand, and pulled the sword from the wound with a scream as black ichor replaced the blood pouring out of it. Erika opened her eyes to see that she was staring at a spell diagram in her own spellbook. It was a spell that would conjure a weapon made of shadow that she could wield, and it looked exactly like the one she thought she pulled from her arm. Something was wrong. She had never fallen asleep before, ever. She looked over at her right arm, and let out a sigh of relief at it being fine, though it was in a sling. She copied down a few more ideas she had, a spell to know all languages, a spell to create a proper set of arcane armor, and finally, a net of webbing to rival the most massive of spiders. Closing her book, she went downstairs to get some breakfast. As she descended, she saw Rose, Katrin, Cal, Kou, and Thrandimir. She gave a brief wave to Rose and Katrin, placed an order, and went over to Cal, Kou, and Thrandimir.  "Oh, you need some magics to help decipher some message? Is it in a language or is it a code? If it's a language, I have a spell for that. Also, good morning you three."

Kou nods at Erika and. says "Your spell should be useful the writing's are rough phonetic interpretation of the orcish I heard from the stone"

Thrandimir nods to Kou and by the time Erika has arrived he's almost finished weaving his own comprehend languages ritual. "Let's see what it says then, shall we?" The wizard remarks as he feels the divination wash over him and inspects the pheonetic chalk scrawlings.

Ascian hadn't woken on the balcony as he thought he might, blinking toward a horizon that shifted from snowfall to spring as quickly as the ring sometimes seemed to appear and disappear from his finger. No, it had been a bed he'd woken in; fully clothed and curled in on himself atop the quilt that the room had offered, the sky still dark outside. How long had it been since he'd retreated there from the balcony merriment? Three hours, four? It had been impossible to tell - only obvious that that was where he needed to go now, to lean against the parapet in the crisp dawn air and take in lungful after lungful of indisputable spring. It's only when he's there, forcing himself to inhale the early morning, that he realizes he doesn't have to; that the innate compulsion that keeps every human breathing no longer stirs his chest. For a long, horrible moment he stares down at himself, waiting for his ribs to constrict or his lungs to start aching or his hand, at the least, be devoid of a ring. But silver is heavy on his finger, twisted rapidly between long thin hands, and still his chest makes no demand to move. Oh. Hours pass, and breath doesn't, and he waits until he can hear several now-familiar voices and can't put it off any longer before he descends down the tavern stairways, purple crescents beneath his eyes somehow worse than when he'd finally been able to slink away the previous night. He looks at the food scattered across various plates, waiting for the always-faithful pang of hunger, and registers dim acknowledgement when that, too, doesn't come. Reluctant, he drifts towards the largest gathering, poring together over something written in chalk. "What's happening."

"You heard Duar'ken, the orc leader," Thrandimir tells Kou, not turning his gaze from the chalk scrawlings. "He said that they are to meet at the falls and to reply if the message was understood." Finally looking up, the wizard glances across at Ash as he approaches. "Good morning, Ascian. How did you sleep?"

“I’m not sure I did,” he admits, passing a hand roughly down his face before gesturing to the chalk markings in front of the wizard. “What’s this. When are we going to the falls.” 

"Just as soon as I tell Duar'ken to leave the good people of Fireblade alone," Thrandimir tells Ascian resolutely. The wizard's eyes are hard and dark. "Kou, the sending stone, if you please?"

Looking from Ash to Thrand Kou gives a small shake of his head. "I do not believe that is wise Thrand. Orc's are a proud people, they will take offense to the fact that we killed their priest & priestess and stole their sending stone. Threatening them and telling them of Fireblade could spell disaster to the people of this village. I think the prudent course would be to continue to monitor their messages, hoping that we find a bit of information that we can use against them in the future. "

"They will be suspicious that the message goes unanswered, they will look for the priestesses, they may well find them, missing quite a few limbs, stuffed into trees. They do not need to be particularly bright to work out what might have happened and come here in greater numbers. " Kaed steps forward, joining the others properly at the table. "We can take the fight to them, we can wait for them here, we can seek allies, or like in the great stories search for magical weapons to defeat them with. But we need to know what the people of Fireblade want too. Do they wish for war with the orcs? I doubt it, and mighty as we are,we are not an army."

As the discussion at the nearby table grows, Katrin stands up and heads over, patting Rose on the hand in a quick ' I'll be back ' manner. She comes up to the group, noting the scribbles on the wood, the chalk in Kou's hand, and the almost mad look in the wizard's eye. As Kaed finishes speaking, she clears her throat. "Most sensible thing I've heard yet. We're not an army. And this town isn't full of soldiers. You want to know what the people think, ask them. Wendell, why don't you ask him? His family's been here forever." She glances over at Rose, feeling slightly guilty at offering up her father as a source of information. But if anyone knew the heart of this town, it was Wendell Westbrook. She looks back towards them, her eyes glinting. "You all know where I stand on this issue. But I will respect the will of the town." Katrin ends her little speech wit a shrug. "Up to you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to finish having breakfast with my girlfriend. I can take you down to the Westbrook farm after, if you want to talk."  Katrin slides back into her chair at the table with Rose. "I hope I didn't overstep, but your dad's a wellspring of information." 

Kou dusts off his hands clapping off a cloud of chalk, nodding towards Kaed he says "I agree that it is likely a matter of time before the orcs attack in earnest." looking towards Katrin " I believe that Wendel could provide a unique perspective on the matter as well. Though truthfully my hope is to confer with Marianne and Na'arik on the issue. Their combined wisdom may help to illuminate the path that can best help the village. Has anyone seen them yet this morning?"

As if summoned by speaking their names, one of the doors on the first level of the tavern opens and the two proprietors come into the room. Seeing the expectant faces of the group, Marianne moves toward the table while Na'arik busies himself with helping the tavern staff. "What have you learned, and why have you written on my nicest table?" she asks, feigning a sigh. 

Thrandimir sidesteps away from Kou and gestures with one hand, transposing the writing from the table to a hovering illusion. "The orc named Duar'ken summons his followers back to the city by the falls. I was going to inform him that Fireblade is protected and will no longer be tolerating these raids."

Kou looks rather sheepish as Marianne mentions the table "Apologies. During the ahem... celebrations last night it slipped my mind that I had exhausted my writing supplies during the journey here." Looking back to Thrand he says "I believe the path of observation and moderation would be more appropriate. Orc's are prideful a threat will incite them not cause them to back down. And we lose the potential to see further messages, though as Kaed noted this will not last forever eventually they will notice the lack of response  and investigate. " Nodding his head towards Marianne and Na'arik "We were hoping to benefit from your wisdom and see how best we could aid your community. Do you have any thoughts so far?"

Marianne removes a piece of parchment and a quill from her bag and hands them to Kou. "Copy it down if you wish," she says.  "This is not my community," she says. "Na'arik and I have no say over what the people here want to do. If you plan to do something, ask around. These orcs have only been a problem recently. The famine must be affecting them more severely..." She trails off, then looks back to the group. "Ask some of the more well-known community names. You already met Delilah Hornsby. There's also Wendell Westbrook. And I think you're acquainted with Audar as well. Talk with them, but know this: Na'arik and I cannot defend this entire village. It's too spread out, and we cannot under any circumstances be drawn too far from this tavern. It is our life's work."  Her stern words match her expression, violet eyes burning intensely. "We are not an army."