In reply to Deev (msg # 644):

Bryce, if he's paying attention, keeps his distance but is clearly interested in the proceedings.

Brennan tilts his head back and takes a drink from the cup.

If there is any sort of reaction or demonic possession, it isn't visible.

Brennan appears to focus off in the distance for a moment, then he quickly lifts the book in his hands and flips through the pages rapidly, too fast to possibly be reading.

"Did cup tell you how to help lady?" Enrei is hopeful at Brennan's sudden academic vigor.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 646):

"Yes," Brennan murmurs, his eyes focused on the blur of pages as they flick past his vision. "I see it so... clearly now. What a fool I was before. And to have doubted."

He closes the book gently and stows it before turning to the others.

"We must find that stone, now more than ever. I am inclined to believe that she is who she claims to be... or closer to it than not," Brennan says after a moment. "I realize you will view this as a side effect of the cup, and it may well be, but the... sensation of communion with this being is far, far different from what... the Inquisitor's journal describes as that which can be ascribed to the sensation of dealing with denizens from the Dream of Hell."

Brennan smiles slightly.

"As Enrei was, I too feel refreshed and renewed. But I have seen a different sort of vision. One of tranquility and peace. Water."

"She is... happy to be rid of her previous 'owners'. She has not asked for further release, and it is possible that the cup is the only form she can have. At least, on this side of the Dream of Heaven."

He pours more water into the cup and offers the cup to Titus.

"Taste and see, my friend. There is glory in this cup, and health and wisdom besides."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 647):

Titus cocks an eyebrow and looks at the cherubic expression on Brennan's face.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 648):

"Or don't," Brennan shrugs, lowering the cup. "It makes no difference to me. But I feel that I've benefited."

He glances at Enrei.

"I'm not sure there's a lady to be freed, Enrei. I think she's part of the cup. Perhaps once we have the stones and can access those doors I spoke of earlier, we'll be able to pass into a realm where she takes another form, and perhaps free her there."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 649):

The aforementioned bird continues to chirp.

In reply to GM (msg # 650):

Titus looks over the cup.

No its not that.  Your sudden change in attitude was... startling.

He takes the cup from Brennan and holds it aloft.

You don't become a legend by staying in the tavern!

He whispers into the cup and then drains it.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 651):

Titus throws the last drops of water from the chalice into his mouth.

Seeing Titus drink from the cup and nothing interesting happen, Enrei looks at Brennan, "What stones?  And doors?  I can let lady out of door if we find it, that is easy."

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 653):

Titus nods and wanders off the path slowly.

I see her...

and I do feel better.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 654):

"If you're going to wander off, I want my quiver back first."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 655):

Titus smiles a broken smile.

NEVER!

He says.  Then laughs.  Handing back the quiver and sheathing his sword.

I think she wants me to wait until later...

He trails off but he nudges his horse towards the apparation.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 656):

"Wait until later... for what?" Brennan asks, accepting the quiver and slinging it back to its accustomed place easily. "What do you see?"

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 657):

Bryce stops walking, halting the train momentarily.

He moves a few paces forward, then comes back.

"Someone else on the trail ahead," he notes in a quit voice.

With Titus wandering into the woods and Brennan experiencing enlightenment Enrei takes charge, "Who is it?" he asks Bryce then waves to Deev, "Titus sees something, we will go say hello while Brennan finds what it is," he gestures for Bryce to lead the way to their company.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 657):

She's gone now...

What I just saw was a visage of the lady Enrei described.  She didn't speak just gestured for me to wait.

He goes back on the path and shrugs nonchalantly.

I don't feel crazy.  Do I look crazy?

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 660):

"No, but we are all thus afflicted," Brennan says. "So perhaps we are not the best judges of that."

He snaps his attention up the road, where Enrei and Bryce appear to be heading, and hurries to follow.

"We should see what's going on."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 661):

Bryce, who allows Enrei to walk astride him for support, leads off further down the path with Brennan catching up quickly.

As you round the bend, you see the way is blocked by a man leading a donkey and a cart.

The man is large but his features are mostly obscured by a heavy traveling cloak and his back is currently turned toward you.

His cart is a small one, but easily spans the entire path and appears to be stuck on something judging by how he is pulling on the leads from the donkey to the cart.

"Hello!" Enrei calls to the wagon owner when he comes into view.  He assesses the situation to guage what the best approach for the stranger might be.  He clearly could use help, but a number of people he had met since becoming a mercenary were not immediately very friendly, so the islander opts for a tactful approach, "I am Enrei."

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 663):

Shit.

Titus says and draws his sword and dismounts.

Ready your bow, likely bandits.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 664):

OOC:  You can have whatever weapons ready you want before you are within sight of the man, but now that Enrei has alerted him there's no more sneaking up.

The figure tenses, then slowly releases the donkey's reigns and turns around.

As he does so, the hood of his cloak falls back revealing his face.

He is pale and bald, but has a long forked beard and bushy eyebrows.  One of his ears sticks out and is puffy from repeated abuse, the other ear looks to be missing.  Across his face are a series of intricate tattoos but at this distance you cannot make out what they are of.

He spreads his legs, taking a strong rigid stance that blocks access to his cart and his donkey.  He casually allows his cloak to fall back from one of his hands, revealing a heavy hand axe.

He stands still and quiet, studying you for some time before finally responding.

In reply to GM (msg # 665):

Titus speaks slowly and clearly.

Neither do we.

He makes a show of scabbarding his sword and holding his hands out to the side.

Looks like you could use some help.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 666):

Titus walks forward slowly with the grace of a cat but is ready to spring backwards at the first off moment from the man.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 667):

Brennan contents himself to watch the proceedings, bow in hand but no arrow ready.

Enrei looks at Bryce "I think he is not from here," he says matter-of-factly.  When Titus walks past and addresses the man Enrei looks at him impressed, "You know how he speaks?  What is his name?" Enrei walks after Titus excitedly, "Tell him I am not from here too."