@TuskatheDaemonKilla Ferdinand's further search of the houses weren't as fruitful. Houses had just two more corpses with everything else ransacked. The other bodies had been gathered already and a rough burial spot made out for them. Ulrich was just finishing a final prayer for the dead. He nodded to Ferdinand when finished, apparently grateful for his help. When he saw Elisa and Shaila approach him, he took some distance from the dead. @Maleth @Shadhunter @Vlayden "Don't really know, healing is always welcome if others want to receive it. This enlightened stuff warrants further investigation, as well. Don't suppose you've heard anything of the sort in your travels, what do you make of it?" He replied to Ferifan, taking a quick glance at the chieftain's remains while speaking. Then Shaila joined their conversation. "There's a town further down on the road. This disaster must have had an effect there as well. The peasants must know more." His expression grew more severe, taking a moment of quiet, hopefully they didn't find another ruined town in their way. "After the dead have been properly honored, we will get going. I wan't to know who is truly behind this atrocity. Also, thanks to you both for saving Victor." He inclined his head very slightly as a gesture of thanks. "Why do you have a ferret on your shoulder?" Ulrich asked a bit confused, noticing the caped ferret on the paladin's shoulder. @OgrynLord Meanwhile, Urghak noticed a small figure moving between the trees. Trying to keep track of it proved difficult, the figure was wearing camouflaging attire, moving fast, quiet and low. Eventually Urghak lost track of the figure. Someone was keeping track of this party's travels, they were prone to ambushes in the future most likely. Maybe someone wanted Gwyneth, maybe it was the supposed invaders or common bandits, who knows. Whoever it was, the party wasn't traveling in secret that was for sure.
@Wata "Cuz' I decided to follow you lot on th' way out; better than stayin in tha' city all my life, eh?" Was his very simple, yet clearly irritated, response. Someone didn't like that castle.
Urghak dropped down to the ground and set off for the group again, carelessly blundering through the vegetation and crashing through it recklessly to maintain a steady pace. He shouted out Ulrich's name in hopes of alerting them but stayed true to his path.
"Mount up! We're moving!" Ulrich declared to the party. The cook took his place at the carriage's reins and everyone got ready to move. Knight commander took point again and they were off into the forest once more. The trip wasn't so oppressing that it was last time. Gwyneth seemed to be in better spirits too, for Ollie the squire rode along one of the windows of the windows and chatted with the Saint. Once giggling started to be a little louder, Ulrich noticed it and looked back to see what the sound was. "Ollie, come here!" He quickly ordered once he saw what was happening. Ollie a bit reluctantly rode to the front to join Ulrich's side. Otherwise the trip didn't have anything out of the ordinary. Near the end of the day when sun started to set, they arrived in the next town. It seemed well enough, no signs of attack or trouble. The townsfolk however had varying reactions about the party's arrival. Some went back inside their homes or shook their heads, obviously unhappy with the sight. Others seemed relieved and happy that they had arrived. Mostly, folks seemed nervous at the sight of them and foreigners only added to it. Ulrich stopped at something resembling a small town square. "We will stay here for the night, I'll go arrange lodgings. Try not to start anything, people are on edge already." He said and went to greet what looked like a town elder who showed up to greet the Knight Commander, they went to continue their talk inside the nearby tavern. Soon after, a burly furious man was walking through the square, holding a woodcutter's axe. "Arthur! Think for a moment, what happens to Beth if you face them alone? She won't make it through the winter!" Another man ran after him, closing the distance and stopping in front of the one who was called Arthur, pushing him back from his shoulders. "I'M SUPPOSED TO JUST STAND BY, AND LET IT HAPPEN!?" Arthur, face red from fury, shoved the other man off him and waved his axe in front of him to emphasize his words. They started to argue at the edge of the square. It started to get very heated and other townsfolk tried to calm him down, whatever it all was about. A brown drop-eared dog lazily walked to greet the newcomers to the town, it's tail wagging weakly. It was also breathing heavy. No owners of the dog seemed to be around. Maybe it was a stray left to die, shame really, seeing how friendly the dog was despite it's weak condition. @Vulpas @ItsTime Two new warriors were looking to join the crusade, for their own reasons or for Ostyaka, who knows. Regardless, by coincidence happening on them or deliberately following the party, their fates met in this little town. (You can introduce yourself to the group now or to Ulrich in the tavern, he is currently talking with the elder in a corner table of the local drunkhouse.) @Colapse @Maleth @Vlayden @Shadhunter @OgrynLord @BloodySoulStealer @GrimFritz @TuskatheDaemonKilla @Valonox OOC You can still emote doing stuff at the village that was attacked, for example by typing <Ruined Village> or something like that before reacting to stuff at this new town. This is also a place to try and stock up on something, like alchemy ingredients, arrows, bolts etc. Also as I previously mentioned, exploring the environment can reveal things. For example, if you want to go into the forest near the dark of the night, go ahead, it might be exciting.
"Oi! You two!" The ferret shouted out once they had gotten close enough; it wasn't so much a shout that'd alert the entire town, but at least loud enough to get their attention. The tiny thing gave a wave, before speaking up again. "Wha's goin on? I dunno 'bout these folks I'm roamin' with, but if I can, I see yer all havin a bit a' trouble. Is there somethin that we can do?" He asked. He might be just a ferret, but... He's a talking ferret. With a cape. "And-- Please, put th' axe down. We don't want no trouble, we just wanna see wha's goin on. Izzere somethin' around here that's hurtin' the town?"
After briefly watching the scuffle Urghak immediately dove into his pouch and withdrew some dried... something. Whatever it was had been crusting up in his supplies for a few days atleast although it smelled as fresh as rations could be. He sat down and offered it to the dog with his palm open, beckoning humbly to the worn out animal.
There it was, that moment when the party finally came to a stop. Hes been tracking their path for days after missing out on the initial meeting point, which cost the life of his companion, Simbra, on the daring and thirsty roads. But all of that mattered not as he finally managed to catch up. Upon spotting that one of the group, Ulrich, had gone inside the tavern Asher immediately turned heel to follow in his steps and went into the tavern. He continued making his way towards Ulrich and eventually closed the distance, reaching out with his hand to put it on Ulrich's shoulder. "Ah... excuse me, you lead this little band of vagabonds outside, yes?"
Ori knew he wasn't welcome in these parts, he knew it the moment he stepped inside that city. So, with his last surviving retinue behind him he took his wineskin of water and a piece of dried meat he approached the dog slowly. He knelt in front of the dog, he held the piece of bacon towards the dog and waited for the dog's response.
Ferdinand assisted in the burial of the remaining town's folk before they group moved on. His wounds ached and he was starting to grow hot in his armor but to be honest riding a horse wasn't that tiring so he had little to complain about. Other than the ferret was still talking, either he was insane or all the magic thrown around earlier did something to it. Or maybe something completely different all he knew was that the little creature's ability was quite unnatural. Once they entered the next town his attention was brought to the two men arguing after seeing a rather friendly albeit neglected dog approach the group. Two members of the group were already offering the dog food so he decided to follow the ferret who was already yelling to the two arguing men. Aldenvater how did he get stuck into such a strange situations when he marched south?
<Ruined Village> "Given that our attackers wanted those of magical talent, I would be inclined to put this enlightened stuff underneath the banner of a cult or a similar secretive group, likely one with some groundings in magic." Elisa replied, remaining neutral in tone, but her face gave away her concern at this development. "And yes, I'd agree with seeing if more villages have been affected and what they, it would be exactly what I would have done before joining up with the group. As for saving Victor: Think nothing of it, that sort of thing is just business as usual for me." The mage continued, before readying up to leave this place behind. <Now> Despite the mixed reactions of the townsfolk, and the fact one of the Squires seemed to be in good spirits with Gwyneth on the way there, Ferifan seemed perfectly fine as she gave some of her food to the stray that came up to meet them, with a gentle toss of some fish (even if it seemed that everyone wanted to take part in the dog feeding). However, then came the ferret asking about the scuffle. So she said to the two men "So, I guess you would be open to the proposition of help?" The Islander rested her hands upon her sword hilts, trying to present the view that it was her sword arm that was her main manner aid. After all, Ulrich did say that it wasn't an idea to start something, and throwing magic around was highly likely to start something in her view.
