As the party heads back to the treeline, things go as predicted. The wind dies down and the water starts to calm. Balthazar vanishes from sight and presumably heads out over the water.

Once again the wind whips up and the waves crash.

Jaleh leans over her saddle bow and pats her fine stead on the neck in a calming manner. "There, there, you'll be fine."

A few minutes after Balthazar flies out, the winds stop and the water returns to calm. The boat begins to head for shore.

As it gets closer you can see that it is more of a ferry or perhaps one of the many barges that ply the rivers throughout the empire of the Rus. As the vessel gets closer you see that there is a boatman aboard...the closer he gets the more skeletal he looks until he has reaches the shore and it is clear he is a skeleton in a black cloak.

Balthazar remains unseen...perhaps he is still invisible or a worse fate has befallen him.

Jaleh takes one look at the boatman and says "There is no way I am going to get on a boat with that thing as the captain! We will need someone to hang back with the horses of you are all foolish enough to ride on deaths boat. Let that be me."

She lays a dusky hand on the Magyars arm "There is no sense in trying to talk you out of being among those that go so for me, be careful."

A'kos grins at the little woman and replies, "Careful?  Um, sure..."

His laughter is loud as he heads towards the ferry and says, "Let me guess...a gold for passage?"

With a glance towards the ferry Loukas adjusts his pack and begins to follow A'kos, "We have come to see a legendary fellow known as 'The Deathless', Jaleh, who serve no less mythic Baba Yaga. That their boatman is not human should hardly be surprising - frighening yes, surprising, no."

"Aiee, aiee, Charon!" breathes Dyanna, her eyes wide at the apparition before them.  "The boatman has come!"

Slowly, she gathers herself and follows behind the others.

With a groan Cuivi dismounts and leaning on his staff moves to board the boat. "So, are we expected or is this island so frequently visited that a sleepless ferryman is required?" the old man raises an eyebrow. "I fear that we are as yet still pawns in this game." The concern in his voice is clear. He turns to face his companions as he boards and winks,"it is a shame we all have to board this craft together where our enemies can see us." His eyes twinkle with delight as events rapidly become more interesting.

"Or you could still be back in gaol," notes the Falcon with a grin.

A'kos's grin inspires one from Loukas, "One is ever a pawn in somebody's game... Even the game players are moved by their Gods, are they not?"

Turning to the entire party he becomes more serious, "Look, before we go any further, I think we all need to be in agreement on matters. We are going to that island to confront The Deathless and his Mistress, but not necessarily fight them. We are mighty warriors, but these are beyond even that puffed up fool back in the Crystal Castle. Should they be unwilling to return the Prince, then I am willing to fight them, but otherwise...

"Well, do we agree?"

Invisibly, Balthazar answers "Agreed".  His voice comes from somewhere up above.

"Ever were such beings prone to negotiation in our lore," muses Dyanna.  "I see no reason why these should be any different."

Yaro nods in agreement even though he is just along for the ride. He knows he is new and has no say in such matters. He feels lucky that he is even allowed to tag along.

"Remember, this ball was to lead us to the death of the deathless one. Presumably it is hidden on this island. I want that if we find it, we do not touch it or a battle will be the only outcome. We may be able to defeat the Deathless but that will bring the wrath of Baba Yaga down upon us.

Says the big Rus as he heads for the shore and the ferry.

As you board the ferry a skeletal hands is extended but no words are spoken. Miroslav does as suggested and drops a gold coin into the palm. It seems to absorb right into the bone. He looks and does a head count of all that are coming along and it looks like only Jaleh stays behind...he drops a coin in the bony palm for each party member.

Once everyone is on board the barge begins to move. In less time than possible the ferry bumps again the opposite shore. The Ferryman waits patiently for his passengers to disembark.

Jean steps boldly onto the shore as soon as the boat has landed.

"I fear no creature of evil no matter how storied."

"However if we can recover the the Prince through negotiation or guile I will stay my hand."

When they arrive on the island, Loukas steps off and looks around. It is not without trepidation that he does so. If it came to fighting The Deathless, he would do so and do so bravely, but he knew that he was unaware of the legendary warrior's weaknesses not to mention Baba Yaga's. This is a storied place and regardless how fabulous a story there is always some truth to it. The trick is knowing which bits are true. He could only think how much he hated puzzles...

Miroslav prods Loukas's shoulder'Drop the ball and see where on this accursed island it takes us." with a sausage-like finger and says...

When a good distance from the dread ferryman Cuivi laughs, "Yes a shame indeed great warriors that those who would play games with us have already neglected one pawn. A pawn left unguarded will prove the most powerful of foes." He winks once more and waves a salute to the unseen mage. "Perhaps that which guards the death of the deathless may stand in our way but I do agree to bargain at first. But any blow against the hag of hags is worth the risk of my own life, I will not back down."

"Ach, this sister of Circe' will attempt to beguile us if we do not have care," muses Dyanna, "though there is hope that she will seek to parlay with us to both our gain.  Be cautious, however, as her words will be filled with half truths and great promises, with little intent to keep faith with us...such witches are haughty by nature, and full of capricious deceit."

"Sir Jean, you would be wise to listen closely, and watch even moreso as she may attempt to ensnare with her words those who speak for the group."

Loukas took the ball out of his pouch and with a glance around drops it...

The Knight simply nods to acknowledge his agreement with Dyanna's words and prepares to follow the ball.

The ball hits the ground and immediately begins to roll once again. It heads directly inland and once again the brush and forest seem to make way for you. It takes you into a large clearing, a huge oak stands at the center.

As you move towards the tree the isle becomes deathly quiet, unnatural. High pitched moans rise up from all around you then off in the distance you can see flaming hooves sparking in the sky.

Six massive armored warriors astride skeletal horses burst from the forest and stand between your party and the tree. They draw their swords in unison and point them at you but make no hostile move forward. They are about 30 feet away.

The fiery mount land just in front of the six warriors setting the surround grass briefly aflame. It's rider is dressed in black armor and long white hairs flows from under a massive horned helm. The ivory of a jawbone juts out beneath the helmet.

"Who dare steal the death of Koshchei!" it hisses.

Jean maneuvers Donnerhuf directly in front of the fiery steed and faces the fearsome rider across only a few feet. He also makes no aggressive moves but rests Nail casually across his saddle.

"We have come to steal nothing. We seek the return of our Prince and nothing more."

Loukas steps forward, but does not draw a weapon, "We only come here to ensure that the deal Baba Yago offered Knyaz Sviatoslav is fulfilled: we followed her ball to Vikhor and she said that Vladimir would be restored to the throne.

"Vikhor is dead. We did not find Vladimir in his cells, so we followed his ball..."