Loukas reads the road sign before him.

Loukas read and as he did so his face somehow managed to convey both humor and foreboding simultaneously. Taking a breath he turns glances at Miroslav, but since his Captain does not seem to have comprehended them, or to evince a commander's opinion he turns back to the party, "I shall read them to you...

The first says:
If you follow the first road, you will live but your horses will be slain.

The second says:
If you follow the second road you will be sated but your horses will be hungry.

The third says:
If you follow the third road you will be slain."


Shrugging, "At least she gives us options. Were I alone I know which I would choose. What say you?"

"I say follow the third," replies A'kos, a gleam of excitement shining bright in his eyes.

"So she gives us a choice that is no choice? Kill your horse, kill yourself or let your horse go hungry? Only a head strong but lovable Magyar could get that one wrong." Cuivi looks resigned to his fate as he mutters shaking his head. "Naturally it makes little difference which path we choose, we are playing her game. She lies as often as she tells true, perhaps the last path would be best, we would expect the worst and things can only get better. Obviously she has use for us so that route may not lead to death"

"Perhaps none of the above is an option.  Wait here."  Balthazar casts fly and invisibility and flies around to scout ahead.

Loukas's laugh barks at Balthazar's comment as he turns invisible, "We have already done her bidding and killed Vikhor. She no longer needs us, no? We have only so much food and it is more likely we'll starve here before she notices we have arrived at this point.

"I think we shall have to decide a path. Horses are wealth and by Volos I can not willingly see wealth squandered even if I have no need of it. A starved thing is not killed is it? It can still be fed after it has starved for a while, no? (No, really, this is a question I do not know the answer to.)

"If we feel strongly enough about it, and if we are good people, then I suppose we ought to take the third path. This is life, friends. We shall be slain eventually, if not by an opponent then by illness or old age, so it seems the most obvious choice. It is the path of responsibility -- responsibility for our actions and if we will not stand for ourselves and each other, who are we?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:02, Fri 17 Dec 2010.

"To some, friend Loukas, a horse is far more than wealth. If the witch harms Donnerhuf then there will be no peaceful discourse between us. Either she or I will die."

"I would wager the Falcon feels the same."

A'kos smiles his approval at the Frank's words.

"Aye, I'd sooner die than let harm come to Storm's Wind."

Miroslav watches as the Hedonite vanishes...

He leans forward and strokes his mounts neck..."Unlike the Frank of the Magyar, I have no great attachment to my mounts but I cannot see the sense if letting our mode of transportation be slaughtered. I cannot say which to go down but I do not think the first road is a wise choice."

"There is a riddle here," notes Dyanna thoughtfully.  "A trick to see within the words if we but look closely enough."

"Such verse rarely is read at face value."

The others note then her mouth's movement as she silently speaks the words to herself.

Loukas turns to Dyanna, "Is there? So, looking closely what do you see, Dyanna?

"To my mind it is a test of what we are willing to risk or harm to get to the end of this quest. Our horses -- and to what extent are we willing to sacrifice or harm these innocent beings -- or ourselves."

Yaro steps forward, "I am young and inexperienced compared to most of you. So please take my words with that in mind. Baba yaga , in the tales, is not always evil, in fact she does help some who truly deserve the help or shows that they are brave and strong. Letting our horses die will not show here this nor will feasting while our horses go hungry, Only the brave forwardness of youth will be respected by her."

The young archer looks to the sky for a moment and then says, "We should probably hear from Balthazar before making any decisions though."

"It would seem that through our various means we are all arriving at the same decision. We should take the third path."

"I see no reason why we should not give Dyanna until Balthazar returns to see if she can discern some further wisdom from the signs."

Alright, I'm back.  I really couldn't see much.  The first and third roads connect, and where they do so, there is a mist.  The second road leads to a cabin.

Growing frustrated Dyanna shakes her head, noting Balthazar's swift return.

"I am touching something, but not seeing it," she says in exasperation.  "My thoughts center on the first two roads offering apparent succor at the expense of our mounts.  The third offers no apparent hope in it's simplicity.  Yet, 'tis spoken almost in gleeful challenge."

She pauses a moment before adding, "It seems to me the wisest course to accept the challenge, noting, like the Magyar and our newfound friend, that such a riddle would seek to separate the wheat from the chaff in those who seek to harvest the old witch's wisdom.  I am sorry, I have no greater knowledge to share."

She shakes her head in exasperation.

"Think nothing of it Dyanna. This Witch is a master of confusion with centuries of practice frustrating mortals like us."

"That said I see no reason for further hesitation."

The Knight then wheeled Donnerhuf about and began to ride down the third path.

Loukas nods his head in agreement and moves along with Sir Jean.

The party follows Sir Jean's lead and heads down the third road...the canopy of trees is thick over head and the fog becomes heavier the further you travel, after at time, be it long or short, it is hard to say, you come to a clearing and the fog lifts.

Spinning before you  is a small hut on hen's legs, one at each corner. Surrounding the hut, forming a fence is a series of stakes topped with human skulls. The yard surrounding the hut is littered with bones an offal from several animals...none of the remains seems to be human. Vegetables and weeds grow together in a cacophony of foliage. 10 large ferocious looking hounds with burning red eyes patrol the small yard.

The hut itself appears to be dancing.

"Mmm, this I recognize from tales," murmurs Dyanna.  "So who wishes to knock upon the door to see if anyone is home?"

"Yes, it is the fabled home of The Baba Yaga. I am willing to approach the hut, but I think we all ought to go forth. We have a better chance of making it through her guardians if we must fight them, if we approach as the unit we have been. After all, it was not one of us who defeated Vikhor, but all of us."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:16, Mon 20 Dec 2010.

Before the party can make it to the hut they need to get though the gate, then past the hounds guarding the yard. The gate itself looms larger the closer you get to it and seems small again the further away you go, the same with the fence. The lock on the gate seems ot be a mouth full of teeth, only a fool would try to pick this lock...or Loukas:)

Cuivi dismounts and approaches the gate,"If we are expected, perhaps the lock will not bar our way? I certainly expect the hag has more in mind than just not letting us in."

"Maybe she is not home?"

"No, she's home," A'kos shakes his head, his eyes squinting and mouth grim.  "And she knows we're here.  I suspect she'll wait to see how we handle her pets before really throwing out the welcome mat."

Loukas nods in agreement, "Yes, she knows we are here. Shall we go forth?"

Turning he walks to the gate and addresses the lock, "Greetings, we come before you to speak to the venerable Baba Yaga. May we proceed?"

A pair of sleepy eyes open in the wood over the toothy maw of a lock and look at Loukas. The lock itself seems to speak..."Go away, she is not home!" it says in an angry and somewhat creaky voice.

THe creaky maw lock looks as though it is working out some of the rust as it speaks. It clearly has not spoken in a while.

Loukas looks askance at the gate, "Come now, Master Gate, surely the Great One is present. My friends and I have completed a quest for her. Certainly she knows this and is expecting us? Are you certain that she is not here?"

The creaking maw begins to move again...it almost seems painful for it to speak..."No, she is not here, do you think yourselves so important that she would wait for you?" the mouth creak closed again.

"Oh, no, I know that I am not significant enough to be waited upon. Did she leave any message for us, by chance? While I know that I am not important enough for much consideration I wonder if she did not know that once we completed the task for her that we could  not come here. Would you tell us how long she has been away or when you expect her return?"

The mouth painfully creaks open again..."She comes, she goes, she pays no attention to me at all. She tells me nothing and neglects me."

"Then were she to have flown back she would not have needed to make use of you, would she? And had she flown back and came through the back gate, you might not have seen her, no?"

The painful creaking starts again..."I am the only gate, she never uses me, I can't remember the last time I was opened. She flies using her stone bowl...as I sit here and rust away."

Jean says nothing but moving just behind Loukas (and in full view of the gate) he begins to inventory his armor kit.

Oil, sand, gravel, wire brushes, and many more tools for removing rust and corrosion can be seen. It is clearly a high quality kit and the shine of Jean's armor is proof of his skill in it's use.

The gate eyes the Frankish knight and what he holds. If it is possible for a gaping maw lock to smile, it just did.

As he is considering their options something comes to mind. Giving Sir Jean a significant look he turns back to the Gate, "Pardon me, Master Gate, but I can not help but notice that it seems to have been some time since anyone seems to have paid any attention to you. My friend here has some oil... Perhaps you would like a bit? I know that it is not often that you are bothered by visitors, but one should not have to feel discomfort in what must already be a trying life."

The toothy maw lock stretches wide...much wider than would seem possible as it says..."All these years, never a single drop of oil on my lock or even my hinges. The Baba Yaga is a harsh neglectful mistress. She garnishes no loyalty from me...I will tell you what, if you oil my lock and hinges well, I will pretend that she has left me unlocked and let you pass but beware of those Hounds on the other side, they are fierce and stay clear of the fence, it will do it's best to rend you with it's skeletal teeth."

Balthazar, still invisible, whispers, "Good job!"

Loukas grins and accepts the oil from Sir Jean. Taking a breath he begins to oil the Gate's lock and hinges, "Well, then, permit me to ease your suffering, Master Gate. And than you for your warning we shall be wary of yonder Hounds and the fence. May I ask if you know if the Hounds like a particular meat or may be distratcted?"

The gate creaks out an oily sigh as young Loukas works in the oil..."The hounds are as neglected as I am...in fact the whole house and yard is neglected by the Baba Yaga."

The gate swings itself open with an almost silent click. The hounds on the other side do not look happy but they have not charged out of the yard either.

Either the Hag is really home and setting us up to be her custodians or she is as unwise as she is epically powerful...

"The poor beasts! Tell me, if you will, Master Gate, what do the Hounds need? Is it food? From the bones scattered about it seems as if they get some food... Indeed, were we to 'take care' of them, the house, and yard what would we be doing for each? What sorts of things has The Baba Yaga not had the time to do that we might do for her?"

The gate is silently once the oil has worked itself in. It can no longer even make a squeak.

The Gate's silence was a tad frustrating and Loukas checked himself for thinking that Baba Yaga might be unwise... Hmph!

Glancing back to the party, "Well, you heard it... If we determine what the Hounds, House, and others need here, we might find going rather easier. I know little of dogs, and am unsure what meat we have, but if we have any food that they would appreciate let us get it ready for offering... If anyone has something that might suit as a doggie toy that might be useful as well. Perhaps they might respond well to a bit of attention as well as treats. Balthazar, what say  you? You are the hedonist amongst us."

"If the gate could speak then surely the hounds can too yes? Perhaps we should just ask them in what way they have been mistreated by the Baba Yaga? It worked well with the gate." says the young archer as he leans on his bow taking in the sight before him.

A'kos shakes his head and dismounts.  Approaching the squeaky gate he shouts to the dogs in the common (trader) tongue, "What harm may come to us if we approach the hut of the witch?"

The largest of the ten black hounds, nearly the size of a pony, walks forward. As it speaks, sparks and smoke come from it's jowly mouth..."We will do our best to kill you. It seems you are a formidable force and you may get past our guard but not without substantial loses."

Unlike the gate, the hound speaks with great intelligence. The other hounds wait behind him ever watchful.

"Is that it then? We will fight if we approach? This is not our purpose. Might we offer something in return for safe passage?"

THe lead hounds looks lost in though for just a moment then says..."Unless your goal is to break into the Baba Yaga's home when she is not here, then it is best you wait outside the fence for her return."

"We are not robbers. Are you certain that she is not home? Can you tell us when you expect her to return? We have fulfilled a quest that she gave our King. We have come to receive the payment she promised him -- his son, our Prince. I believe he is within."

The black hound laughs..."Why would I lie about her being home and why would she tell us anything. We are but lonely hounds guarding her hut for ten score years and has she ever even given us a crust of bread? Never, we are naught but slaves to her. The only time she pays us any heed is when we fail at our duties."

Loukas reaches into his bag and carefully pulls out dried meat and other combustibles. He takes a small bite and tosses all of his food into the yard without actually stepping into it. Chewing he continues, "That seems unfair to me, Master Hound, that the Great Baba Yaga would not take care of those who serve her. Please accept those crusts from me."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:53, Wed 29 Dec 2010.

The black hound almost smiles as he picks up the crust offered by Loukas. Once the morsel is in his mouth the other nine hounds vanish or better to put it...seem to absorb into the one larger hound.

He takes his crust of bread and turns his back on the party, walking to lie down behind the hut to eat his treasure.

The gate is quiet, open and happy and the hound is vanquished...the skull capped fence is still mighty angry but can do little about your advance unless you get close enough to grab...meaning your horse will get bitten if they go through the gate. There is room for a human to walk through safely but not a horse.

As the Hound disappears with his treat, Loukas lets out a quiet sigh of relief. Looking back at his friends, "Shall we all go in or will you wish to leave a guard over your horses?"

Young Yaro the archer steps forward and says, "I have no great desire to meet Baba Yaga, if you would permit, I will stay out here and watch the horses. I promise to take good care of the mounts and guard them wit my life."

OOC I am out of town with limited access for the next week so I might as well have Yaro volunteer.

Cuivi smiles at the young monk, "kindness opens many doors, the hag is notoriously wicked to those who serve her closest, worth remembering when we come face to face with her no?"

Jaleh stays on her mount and looks to A'kos "Again I am feeling weak, please excuse me but I am going to stay with Yaro and the horses while you go and face the hag."

Titus rubs his forehead and smiles as he replies to the cleric, "Yes... Whatever we do we can not forget that she is power. She only cares for her own schemes and we are little more than toys in those. And clearly she does not take very good care of her toys!"

Balthazar calls out to the skull-capped fence, "So, have you been neglected as well?  Does Baba Yaga take care of you at all?"

The skulls as one turn their burning eyes towards the Hedonite..."What needs have we? We are already dead. Why not come a little closer and I will let you in on our secret?" says the nearest skull.

"I doubt there is much these fellows can tell us, Balthazar, that we do not already know. Let us approach the house and see if we might enter."

Loukas gives one last wary glance at the skulls and moves to the hut. How does one enter a jigging lodging? he thinks to himself.

As the group approaches the hut itself it becomes clear that it is actually constructed from human bones. It continues to dance on it's chicken legs until the party is 10 feet away and then it stops dancing and lowers itself to be near the ground. Only about a two foot hop to get on the porch. The skeletal door pops open invitingly.

When the hut settles Loukas stops. For some reason there is something more profoundly terrifying about the inviting door than the sharp-toothed Gate or the multiplying giant Hounds or even the skull-lined Fence... It isn't simply that the door is framed in human bones. It's just that everything to up to this point has been so threatening and suddenly there is no obvious threat.

Taking a breath and saying a quick prayer to Volos he hops the two feet to the porch and at the doorway pauses, "Hello? Is anyone home?"

Dyanna studies the hut with profound fascination.  Though she brooks not with profound evil, still the mystical energies and necromancy necessary to build this construct it puissant indeed.  Once past the skull guardians, and through the gate, she walks a few strides to either side studying the hut.

Finally, with a pensive frown upon her face she rejoins the party, without a word.

Jean quickly mounts the porch as Loukas hops up. He awaits an answer to the young half-Greek's query while standing close enough to offer both of them some protection with his shield if necessary.

The only reply to Loukas question is the smell of fresh baked bread. The interior of the hut looks dark but you can see the orange glow of a hearth fire. It looks altogether inviting.

With a glance to Jean, "Smells delicious, no? There is something like a children's tale about this..." With a grin, "I shall endeavor to keep you out of the oven, my friend!"

Taking another breath he moves forward.

Loukas takes a few steps into the hut and to him and those who see him enter, it all looks just like a normal hut. Nothing special or sinister. Miroslav follows closely behind.

Jean continues to stay immediately alongside Loukas.

(ooc: and he will continue to do so unless Loukas makes a sudden move that he isn't prepared for)

With a fixed look of determination Cuivi follows across the grizzly threshold.

Clearing his throat once again, Loukas loudly says, "Hello? Is anyone here? We enter in with good faith and intentions on behalf of our Knyaz and Prince!"

Dyanna hops up, and follows Loukas as well.  Once within she takes a close look around, searching for any clues as to any hidden watchers.

To save some time, I am assuming everyone is following Loukas in except for Jaleh and Yaro....
When you walk inside you see that the floor is strewn with pine boughs and forest moss making a nice soft green carpet. The walls are lined with full shelves and the air is thick with smoke and fresh bread smell. The smoke comes from a huge iron stove in the corner of the hut.

The inside seems too large for how small the outside looked and the longer you stand inside the large it seems to get. You see that where before seemed lika wall with shelves there are now shelves and a door, in fact there are 5 doors coming from the ever expanding kitchen and it looks like a trap door in the floor as well.

Miroslav walks about the ever expanding inside of the hut and looks around with wonderment. He stops by the door in the floor and says..."How can there be a cellar when the hut is on chicken legs? How can there be this much space in such a small hut?"

Loukas moves to Miroslav's side, "This is a hut with chicken legs, is it not? I would imagine such a weirdling place might well have other attributes no less, uh, weird. It also may simply be another exit..."

Bending down he looks to see if there's a place to attached a rope ladder or something similar.

Remaining kneeling he looks up, "Shall we see where it leads? If the Prince is here it is most likely that he is down there."

Miroslav shrugs his wide shoulders and grabs a hold of the rope handle of the door and gives a mighty yank. A gust of cold air erupts from the open door. Looking down you can see a root cellar lined with vegetables, hams and barrels of some sort of wine or perhaps mead. Nothing more than a cellar for cold storage, well stocked and totally impossible but that is what it is.

Miroslav lets the door close.

He looks around to the other 5 doors with a quizzical expression on his face.

Loukas stands as the big Rus closes the door, "Hmph."

He moves to the nearest door and looks at it closely (never know where teeth might show up around here) before knocking on it. If there is no reply or teeth, he tries the handle.

The door opens easily as Loukas pulls on the handle. Inside a bed and a wardrobe...little else. Clearly the Bab Yaga's bedroom. The furniture is rustic but well made. The room itself has a rather grandmotherly scent to it.

"It looks as if it is The Baba Yaga's room... Seems wrong to go in there. No Prince within... Nah.", He says as he closes the door and moves to the next nearest one doing the same as he did at the first.

Loukas opens the next door with Miroslav by his side....
a bath, both steam and with a tub. The tub is very large and seems to be one piece of ivory. You have to ask yourself what has a tuck large enough to fashion such a tub from.

Quite. With another "Hmph." Loukas closes the door and moves on to the next.

This goes on for the next three doors.. a spinning room, a storeroom and finally a stable large enough to hold 20 horse. Everything out of the ordinary but nothing you were hoping to find.

As Loukas closes the door to the stable, there is a rush of wind and a thump on the porch...suddenly a very tall but aged crone bursts into the room. The hag is so emaciated that she is little more than skin and bone. Her glistening teeth are large and metallic, they protrude over her shriveled lips. Her hair is a tangled mass of writhing snakes. Like her teeth, her nose seems to be made out of some sort of rusted metal.

"Fie fie!" She says looking at Loukas and Miroslav most of all..."The smell of Rus has come by itself!"

She glares around at the others, her nostrils twitching. "Are you here of your own freewill or by some compulsion?" Her terrible face splits into a toothed mockery of a grin.

Awe. What Loukas felt when felt when the Baba Yaga appeared was awe. Before them was myth. Legend. Fear. He felt fear also. Lots of fear...

But there was a bit of anger mixed in there as well. They had spent several weeks following one little ball or another around. As Cuivi had pointed out they were mere tokens in a game. A game they knew nothing about. If nothing else, here was their moment to learn and for the turmoil this legendary bitch had put them through he was not going to lose the opportunity regardless of whatever other emotions he was feeling.

Stepping forward he bowed, "Both, Mighty One. The ill health of our King and the story told to him that his only son might be returned if someone followed a magickal ball compelled us. The defeat of Vikhor the Rotund, who lay at the end of that ball's route, left us uncertain what to do next. However, since it was clearly yourself who put us on this path, we have come to claim the reward you promised Sviatoslav."

"And no riddles please, either you want something from us badly enough to arrange all we have been through or you must know who has brought us here and what they may want. It is surly now time for some pain speaking, where is the Prince and what do you want of us?" Cuivi is blunt but not aggressive with his statement and question.

Saying little, A'kos caresses the hilt of his sword as he studies the ancient witch.

He notes Dyanna standing next to him and whispers, "We've stories of the great hag as well, on the plain.  We are in a difficult position right now."

Dyanna glances at the horseman; she seems unfazed by the witch's appearance.

"Aye...but only if we cross her.  More than likely she'll share some information that will prove useful to us, either now or in the future.  Sure enough she knows of what we seek as well, and mayhap we can procure a trade: a finish to the Knyaz's quest in return for some service she finds useful."

Shrugging she adds, "Of course, a service she finds useful could prove quite hazardous."

Balthazar stays quiet; he is still flying (hovering above the floor) and invisible and hopes to be unseen in case something happens.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:57, Sun 09 Jan 2011.

Baba Yaga chuckle softly to herself..."I do like to have my fun!...I know the location of your princeling, yes I do." She sniffs. But I don't give that sort of information out freely do I? You must do something to earn it!"

She leans closer, close enough that you can smell her ward fetid breath..."If you want my help, you will have to earn it."

She gestures with a bony finger at the stable door. "I have a number of strong willed mares that need grazing. So this is what you are going to do...you will tend to my mares for three days. If during those three days even one of my mares does not return to the stable by dusk, well then...."

She licks her lips and looks at you all like choice beef..."One of your heads will join my fence for every mare not found."

She smiles wickedly..."Or you can leave now with your heads intact...or perhaps you would like to try and force me to tell you?" As she finishes talking she looks slightly smaller and definitely more frail and weak. Still her grin remains.

Loukas could feel himself getting angry, but there was little use for anger right now. However, it did seem to him that she was taking advantage, and while she certainly has the power to do so, he had to say something...

Taking a breath, "Sviatoslav told us that by following the ball the Prince would be restored to the throne. If we do this deed for you, will you return him to us directly? Will we leave here with the Prince?"

The Baba Yaga shakes her disgusting head..."No, no, my dear. I do not have the young prince, nor had I anything to do with his disappearance. I do however know where he is. There is no guarantee that he will come willingly with you or those who have him will let him go even if he wants to."

Loukas looks back at his friends, "It seems we have little choice in the matter. We have come so far... If the Great One wishes to play such games while the fate of so much swings in the balance what options have we?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:19, Tue 11 Jan 2011.

"Whatever the fell reputation of the lady of this house may be it is fair to pay for information that will help us."

"As well I have cared for horses since I was very small. It is a challenge I believe we can overcome."

A'kos laughs loudly and nods, agreeing with Sir Jean whole-heartedly.

"Asking a Magyar to care of horses is like asking an A-rab to care for camels.  We are born to such!"

Miroslav looks at the legendary hag then back at Jean and A'kos..."I trust the both of you with horses more than any other men. If you think this can be done then so be it!"

he looks again to the hag and says..."You are well known for your tricks...what sort of mares be these?"

Baba Yaga smiles grimly as she gestures to the stable door. The door opens as if of it's own will revealing some 20 mares. Fine looking horseflesh even to the uninitiated. Even though there were no horses there the first time you checked, they are certainly there now.

The confidence of the two horsemen does not inspire the same in Dyanna as she studies the mare with a crafter's eye.

"Ware the witch's task!" she implores the others, fearing a trick of some sort.

Having made her warning she forms in her own mind a game of enchantments should the need arise.

Loukas does not speak, but stands ready. Despite the fact that he'd traveled entirely by foot since they started on this quest, he knew horses. After all, he came from a family of merchants and soldiers. Horseflesh was an implicit element of his life even if he didn't have anything like the affection for the beasts that Jean and A'kos had. To him they were mere transport and investment. That said, Baba Yaga's horses were sublime transport and rich investment, indeed.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:34, Sun 23 Jan 2011.

Baba Yaga flashes a vile grin at the group and says..."So it is settled, you will pasture my mares for three days...one head for each missing mare. We shall start now...

The door to the stable closes then opens again to a verdant plain...it cannot be close to the hut since it was all forest here but nonetheless here it is...the mares all walk calmly out to pasture. Your own mounts are somehow here waiting for you outside the stable door.

The hag makes a motion to shoosh you out the door saying..."Now you best get out there and see to my herd. As much as I like the thought of adding your heads to my fence, I would prefer to keep my herd intact."

As the mares walk across the field you begin to notice that each time the mares hooves hit stone they seem to spark slightly.

Loukas notes the sparks as he moves quickly onto the plain. Saying to no one in particular, "At least we are not being asked to break them..."

The broad shouldered Rus quickly mounts his horse. He starts to ride out in front of the herd but stops and looks to both Sir Jean and A'kos for instruction.

As he waits, he too sees the sparks coming from the hooves of the mares..."Hopefully that is just the shoes interacting with the flint on the ground....but i doubt it."

Dyanna considers for a moment casting a spell of fencing to keep the horses contained, but says instead, "I can cast a phantasm of horse herders to assist us in keeping the mounts at bay."

"By the way, did any of us ask how long we must keep watch?"

"The terms of the deal are three days... We care for her beasts for three days. I'm uncertain how useful illusory herders will be, though, arguably an wall to high for them to jump might be just the thing to keep them corralled, Dyanna."

Miroslav nods at Dyanna..."Whatever magic you can weave that helps keep these mare in our protection will be most helpful. We would be sore pressed to stop the Baba Yaga from taking a head if she truly was bent on taking one."

Jean also mounted quickly riding Donnerhuf around the small herd of mares.

"I will treat them as I would treat horses until else is called for. When that happens we may have need of your magics moreso than now."

The Knight then proceeded to care for the horses just as he would the horses he raised at his own home.

OOC: Note that while Jean is an expert horse master I am not and therefore I am not going to try to describe his actions in detail. According to the Unearthed Arcana a Cavalier can judge the quality of a horse just by looking at them and horses selected and cared for by them actually get +2 hp per die.   

"Dyanna and Balthazar, we shall be on duty for 3 days, so if you have the capacity to create an effective 'coral', that is, large wall, that would also keep out others, please do so. Maintaining that would be less costly than other things in the near term, I suspect."

With his naturally enhanced movement, Loukas is assuming that he'll be as effective unmounted for now. Particularly if they are able to keep the horses contained in a smaller area.

A'kos also retrieves his mount, climbing atop Storm's Wind and approaching the mares.  He notes Storm's Wind actions and attitude as he approaches as much as what the mares do, relying on his horse to note anything 'special' about their charges that he cannot see.

Balthazar's plan:
1. Put a unique identifying leather strap tied around each horse's neck (wizard mark spell perhaps?).  If any get away, he can use locate object to find it.
2. Cast charm monster once per day on a horse so that it obeys him.
3. He'll keep a monster summoning I spell ready to bring in extra horse handlers when we need them.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:46, Wed 19 Jan 2011.

The mares were amazingly well behaved the first day. As the sun began to set they let themselves be corralled into the stable once again.

Baba Yaga was no where in sight. As soon as the doors to the stable shut behind the mares, it seemed like the whole world shifts and goes dark. A second later you find yourself on your horses, fully refreshed with the stable doors open and the mares pouring out into the pasture.

It seems as if you were fast forwarded to the next day without remembering it.

As the horses head for pasture, it is clear they are a bit more spirited, more sparks fly from their hooves as they begin to run.

His rope tied into a lasoo in hand, Loukas dashes after the horses shouting to Dyanna, "That great wall would be useful right now!!!"

In succession Dyanna casts 'spectral force' to form a large barrier around the horses pasture.  It goes up in a sort of reverse domino, with rock spilling away from grooves from which the wall is raised.  The sound of thunder also accompanies the odd construction, and dust and dry dirt cloud the air around where the wall appears.  When complete, as the dust settles the group can see before them a ten foot high stone wall.

Following close behind that casting Dyanna then casts change self upon herself to appear in the form of Baba Yaga.

"Come, come, my pretties," she cries.  "Let us not set a pretty chase for your horse-herds!"

To the others she says, "It seems we'll need to be ready for the quick changeover from day to night and back...thus, I'll need to study today before the mares return to their barn."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:02, Thu 20 Jan 2011.

Jean spurs Donnerhuf forward intending to get ahead of the mares and turn them before they flee the area.

Seeing Loukas waving a lariat he shouts. "Hold that rope Loukas! You don't weigh enough and I doubt these beasts have been broken to the rope. If you try that you'll only be dragged."

"Mayhap if you catch one by the mane she will turn."

ooc:If/when Dyanna's spell happens Jean will react as necessary.

Dyanna's illusion fools the mares just long enough that Jean can get in front of them with his horse. A'kos soon follows and with these two in the lead, the party breaks the spirited romp of the mares and they settle down for grazing.

For the rest of the day, the mares act up now and then but for the most part they are kept in check by the orders and superior horsemanship of the Magyar and Frank.

As sun sets the mares are easily herded back to the stables.

Once again night turns into day without warning and the party finds themselves fully refreshed and in charge of the mares as they exit the stable.

Once again the sparks kick up and the mares begin to run...

Once again the Frankish Knight's horse bounds forward moving to try and turn the mares before they make good their escape.

The Greco-Rus Monk springs forward staying afoot attempting to put himself in position to respond to the herd should Sir Jean and A'kos get ahead of them and they turn back to escape in the opposite direction of the master horsemen. The lasso remains in his hands, he knows that the beasts may well be too strong to be easily roped, but he also knows that with the lariat in his hands he's a bigger figure and it might help him get their attention, if nothing else, should they elude the Frank and Magyar.

"Tis the third day, my friends! Be wary as things are likely to be more difficult in the coming hours than they have been so far! Dyanna, Bathazar, if you may work your magics again, do not forget that the beasts may be able to move faster and be stronger today than they were yesterday!"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:58, Sat 22 Jan 2011.

A'kos rides hard with a wary eye toward the herd, again with his senses attuned to Wind's.

Cuivi riding along with the herd approaches the two horse men.
"Could you say which beast leads this herd, I have the skill to talk for a time with these animals and may be able to tell what they are expecting to happen later."

Miroslav wheels his horse around and attempts tog et in front of the charge as well. He shouts back to the shaman..."By all means, if you can speak with these beasts...do so!"

As the horsemen close in in on the front of the small stampede, the sparks begin to fly more intensely from the mares hooves...in a few more beats the lead horses begin to lift off the ground with their hooves aflame. in a matter of seconds two or three have completely left the ground and fly over the heads of their mounted caretakers.

Dyanna casts overhead the spectral force of a whirlwind with all incumbant thunderous noises and debris flying about at the head of the mares as they lift off the ground.  It is of strong enough force to sway any instinctual creature from trying to fly through or around it, persuading most to find shelter against the storm.

Dyanna's spell has the desired results but only for a time. Roughly an hour after the illusion has passed, the mares act up again and begin to take to the air.

Cuivi does his best to talk to the herd and calm them using Speak with animals. The raggedy old man makes an amusing sight riding round shouting at the beasts in his desperate attempt.

The 20 mares calm down and stand before the older man as he talks at them...

When the horses began to fly again, Loukas felt a bit panic, but Cuivi's efforts to communicate with them seem to have worked. With relief he moves into position for their next "explosion" in case his efforts failed... Maybe he'll attempt to lasso one and that might discourage its flight? Or could that harm its leg? Glancing down at the rope in his hands he hopes Cuivi's efforts are fruitful, because the options that come to mind are limited!
This message was last edited by the player at 18:14, Mon 24 Jan 2011.

Noting the flying beasts in wonder A'kos slaps the hard neck of his horse and guffaws.

"Oy, that you could do such a thing, Storm's Wind!  We'd conquer the world together!"

His laughter is resounding, and pushes forward, joining his horse into the midst of the others to gain a better look at the beasts.  Reaching out he tries to touch the neck of one of the others.

Cuivi continues his conversation with the horses.

Cuivi keeps talking to the horses and as long as he talks, they remain calm. A great screech from a bird of prey can be heard overhead.

To Miroslav, "Well... As long as the old man can speak, it appears as if things will be just fine! I'll take him some wine."

As he begins to move to Cuivi's side, Loukas hears the screech from overhead and looks up, This can't be good...
This message was last edited by the player at 18:55, Fri 28 Jan 2011.

Flying against the back drop of the midday sun is a lone but very large bird of prey. With the sun as a backdrop, it is too hard to see what it actually might be but regardless in a minute of two it is off in the distance.

The horses remain in conversation with the older man but begin to look more agitated with every passing second. Perhaps it was the screech from the raptor but they are definitely growing wild once again.

"This may assist a little," calls Dyanna to the others.

Moving forward she casts Hypnotism toward the tightest grouping of mares.

OOC: Oopsie!  That's what happens when I'm working a case and playing a game at the same time.  Thanks for the catch!
This message was last edited by the player at 01:39, Sat 29 Jan 2011.

In reply to Dyanna. (msg #128):
OOC: Something told me that you must've misread or mistyped or something!
This message was last edited by the player at 21:55, Sat 29 Jan 2011.

Cuivi looks to the sky and brings his horse around to talk to the group. "The mares fear their mistress, she has asked them not to cooperate with us and she watches them even now. Perhaps if there were some way to let the Hag see what she wants they will feel safer."

"Would've been nice to know that before now," replied Dyanna, slightly annoyed.  "I no longer have a spell that creates a phantasm."

Loukas swallows a laugh. At least they know who the carrion bird actually is now. For all of Baba Yaga's power it seems as if everything that serves her would prefer to do anything but what she would have them do. There is a lesson in this.

Turning to Cuivi, "So, if we were to spend a while chasing them about letting them run wild, could we convince them to pretend to let us capture them at the end of the day? Are they sufficiently intelligent to understand this?"

The old man nods, "my thoughts exactly, only merely our word that we had the run around is no good, the Hag would see through it. I'm at a loss as to how they and us can convince her watchfulness that the mares did everything in their power to break free.  Ideas would be useful quickly before I am unable to talk to them any more."

Again the call of the great bird of prey as a shadow passes over the herd of mares. The shiver slightly and huddle closer. One of them approaches the shaman and whinnies. The great bird flies off into the sun just as quick as it appeared.

"So... Just spending the next several hours chasing them around will not work? Perhaps at the end of the day A'kos and Sir Jean could appear to finally cow them somehow? Balthazar have you anything else that might help us?"

When the great bird's shadow and call is heard he shivers along with the horses and when one seems to speak to Cuivi he turns, "That can not have been good..."

"Perhaps I can break the dominant steed," says A'kos, looking about.

OOC: Sorry, can't remember if the horses were all mares, or if there are some stallions mixed in.  Clarification would help.

All mares:)

A'kos looks about for the largest mare, the one to which the others look to, and head's Storm's Wind in that direction.  He will seek to use Storm's Wind's bulk to cull her from the herd, than use his rope to harness her.  At that point he will try to mount, hoping that her protestations don't kill him, and are significant enough to convince the Hag that their efforts were in earnest.

OOC: Time to do something stupid!  LOL!

When A'kos rides off Loukas turns to Cuivi, "Can you warn them what he is doing? It would be best if she does not hurt herself or drop him from too great a height! I fear this will take a great deal of skill on both their parts."

Jean smiles as A'kos maneuvers his mount and quickly rides in with Donnerhuf to assist him.

Once alongside he says,

"I am jealous of your foolhardy wit Falcon. I Would that I had thought to attempt riding one of these flying mares first.

He sat his warhorse directly in front of the mare and helped to tie A'kos' rope into a hackamore halter.

A'kos grins at the chevalier.

"I was dropped upon my head as a babe," he says enthusiastically, his eyes flitting from Jean to the mare.

The Knight raised an eyebrow and his smile was only slightly forced.

"Perhaps I will get my chance after you are dead non?.."

The old man shakes his head. "My old eyes, would that they could see as they used to. My old head, would that I should not jump to conclusions so readily. The Hag may watch her herd but they inform me that the bird that circles above or one like him is in our debt. Look now those with younger eyes, how many heads does the bird have? Perhaps brave horsemen you need not risk your lives on unbroken flying mares.."He turns once more to talk to the animals.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:03, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

The mare allows A'kos to capture her with Jean's help. He is able to mount her as well, she kicks up her hooves and takes him for a very brief flight before the sound of the great bird causes her to nervously land and go with the other mares who are gathering around Cuivi.

The great raptor flies low enough to finally get a good look at. It is indeed the same two headed eagle that the party had rescued from the multiheaded giant. It cries loudly at the horses.  With a great burst of speed the bird flies around the mares in a circle causing them to huddle even closer together. It then soars back into the sky and continues to circle the herd from above.

A mare whinnies once again at Cuivi.

"Ah! It is the Dvoriem! I had forgotten about our friend. Well, if nothing else if we are able to keep him around we shall keep the Mares landbound and 'cowed'. Cuivi inform the mares that as long as they stay on the ground they will not be attacked, but we may not promise their safety otherwise."

He pauses and smiles, "And apologize for the pun as well..."

A'kos waves at the Dvorem from the back of the mare he is now riding, an exultant grin upon his face.

"Wind, ye may have a rival for my favor!" he calls to his steed, who eyes him disapprovingly.

Cuivi replies to the monk, "A good idea sir, glad I have already discussed this matter with both the mares and the bird." He beams a wicked smile and turns to the horses.

"Quick thinking," Diana says to Cuivi with a grin.  Looking about she tries to make out where the witch might be hiding, having little doubt that the woman was watching from somewhere.

Slowly she heads back toward the gate, and where the hut is in order to catch a glimpse if she's able...having a care, of course, of keeping clear of skeletal fence posts, hounds of hell or any other of the hags sentries.

Suddenly across the plain a figure comes into view, moving at incredible speed. As you all brace yourselves for what it might be you see as it nears that it is the Baba Yaga riding on the shoulders of young Yaro.

When she reaches you, Yaro collapses in exhaustion as the Yaga jumps off his shoulders. He falls to the ground but is clearly breathing just depleted beyond belief.

Cuivi dismounts from his horse and rushes to the aid of the young archer. He fixes the Hag with a gaze of pure anger."We had a deal Baba Yaga, what have you done to this poor boy?"

Loukas rushes forward with Cuivi, "Yes, what is this? We have held up our end of the arrangement. Why this provocation?"

The old hag smiles gruesomely and says..."You have completed my task even though I sought to make it harder for you than it should have been. I do not like to lose but I do like a game well played." With that said she rolls a golden ball towards the group and says..."This last ball will lead you to your princeling."

She looks over tot he heavy breathing form of Yaro and says..."He will be fine...just a bit winded after a spirited ride."

She suddenly vanishes as do all the mares and you find yourself in the forest where you started...back at the horses and Jaleh with the golden ball at your feet.

Taking out his water skin he kneels down besides Cuivi and speaks to Yaro, "Are you okay, my friend? Here, have some water..."

Standing he picks up the golden ball and looks around to the group, "Well, here is to victory, eh? Yaro is exhausted, but I would rather not camp here so close... Shall we attempt to travel a bit and put some distance between us and the great witch?"

Young Yaro sits up and takes a sip of the water offered by Loukas. "I am ok, just tired and horrified. I have spent the last three nights with the Baba Yaga. On the first night she was a young beautiful maiden, on the second she was a kindly and soft matron but last night, last night, she was the Baba Yaga!" He shudders and passes out once again.

He shows no signs of physical harm but clearly his mind is shattered from the three nights of passion with the hag.

A'kos finds himself sitting upon the ground next to his steed, looking around with a wistful expression upon his face.

"Ah, to ride such a steed through the air!" he sighs, shaking his head.

Standing, he approaches Storm's Wind carefully, keeping an eye on the tempermental brute.  Mounting up, he slaps the beast's neck with hearty affection, grins at the others and says, "An interesting journey, no?"

Cuivi raises his snowy eye brows and chuckles to the young archer,"here I was worried about you, exhausted yes but because you have been rutting!  Truth be told it was always the grusome hag but forget that last night and remeber the pleaseures of the first two. Don't be sad, cause two out of three ain't bad." The filthy old man laughs at his own joke, "I thought A'kos had had the most amazing ride but you just had to out do him."
He shakes his head,"to think I just called you a boy, still perhaps in future you will face perils with us and not go it alone. I agree we should leave this place of Yaro's triumph and tragidy. Do we roll the ball now or leave this place and rest first?"

Loukas shook his head at Yaro's tale. One would not have expected that Baba Yaga would be interested in... Sex. Well, she has a body, eh?

Putting his water skin away and turns to Cuivi, "Let's tie Yaro to his mount, so he does not fall off while he sleeps and put a few miles between this place and us. Something tells me that Baba Yaga has no desire for us to be nearby regardless of how sated she is -- And, frankly, I have no desire to be anywhere near her even if I have know idea where she actually is."

Mounting his horse for the first time in a very long time he tosses the golden ball up and catches it, "Shall we?"

"Well need to rest to re-equip and memorize spells soon," notes Dyanna thoughtfully.

"I agree. Let us get clear of this accursed place and then we can spend the rest of the day in rest."

With the consensus being that moving on to find a decent camp far enough away from the abode of the Baba Yaga to be safe, the group moves on without rolling the golden ball that is still in Loukas's possession.

The day winds to a close and the rosy fingered dawn greets the refreshed party. Miroslav has already been awake for over an hour preparing a makeshift breakfast from the parties supplies. He has also gather a good amount of mushrooms to add to the selection.

Yaro is the only member of the group not up to snuff...but his problem lies in the restless sleep from the night before. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see the hag's face all too clear.

With appreciative gusto Loukas tucks into Miroslav's breakfast. He is a bit concerned about Yaro, but is uncertain how to or whether to approach the topic. So he doesn't and hopes for the best.

"Hopefully we will not need to travel far, but how much food do we have now, Captain? Should we be thinking of making an effort to find more before to long?"

"We were able to stock up quite well at Vikhors palace. We have at least a weeks worth or rations before we need to start worrying about getting more."

He takes a look over at the haggard form of Yaro and asks..."How are you doing this morning lad?"

Yaro smiles weakly at Miroslav. "I am fine, just a little queasy. Once we get up and going, I should feel better." he says as he munches on a large mushroom. He slowly stands and walks over to the edge of the camp with a limp, to relieve himself.

Miroslav throws his head back and laughs at young Yaro's near legendary discomfort as the young man gets up and begins to walk like he spent the last three days breaking wild horses without even a saddle blanket. He looks over at Jaleh and says with a laugh..."I thought we left you here to watch over our young ward?"

He then turns to Loukas and says..."Once we finish...it will be time to roll the ball and complete the last leg of our quest yes?"

A'kos sits silently, with a thoughtful frown upon his face, his thoughts on what he could accomplish with a horse that could fly...

In reply to Miroslav (msg #164):

"Yes, Miroslav. Roll the ball and hope it comes to a halt soon and before a hale and healthy young Prince who is not imprisoned or sullen or in any manner affected by the ills that take so many young royals."

Jaleh shrugs and smiles at Miroslav's comments, "I am not a nanny!"

She then turns and looks at the Falcon, she can read what is going on behind those dark eyes. "Please do not tell me that you are contemplating going back and stealing one of those horses?"

Startled out of his contemplation he looks at Jaleh and laughs.

"No, love...Storm's Wind would not allow it...unless the mare was in heat.  Then I think he would be a very willing partner to such an interesting climb.  An adventure for another day, perhaps!"

Miroslav takes the ball from Loukas and tosses it on the ground to the north. It circles around and heads due southeast towards Kiev. Miroslav leaps onto his horse and calls out..."Come, let us see what keeps the Prince from his ailing father!"

Loukas mounts up again and follows Miroslav. "By the Beard of Volos and the Crown of the Rus we'll find the son and heir or cause his captors to wish they had never neither seen sun or breathed the air!"

Not to be outdone A'kos kicks Storm's Wind to a canter and follows close behind.

Jean rides along as well. Once again he seems to have fallen in an introspective silence.

New thread..."The Final Chapter"...see ya there.