When Deev gives up on the goat Enrei shakes his head and shrugs.  He watches the beast's struggles, and if it calms down before the others return, he will see if it's willing to eat any of the horse feed or perhaps let him pet it.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 184):

The goat, after a few hours of gentle treatment by Enrei, has gone from shock and confusion to frustration.

It bleats and kicks at its ropes periodically, but isn't able to make headway on its grand schemes of escape.

It accepts the food Enrei offers, and also tries to bite his fingers off.

In reply to GM (msg # 185):

While walking Brennan notices Titus making strange gestures with his hands and mouthing words.  You can tell he is rehearsing something.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 186):

Brennan chats with Titus freely, using strange hand symbols every so often.

At some point, he also turns to Bryce.

"We are agreed. Take any horse that is not Enrei's as your own, in exchange for your continued services."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 187):

"Fine by me."

Bryce nods and quickly picks the second best horse as his own.  He looks up at the late afternoon sky.

"It'll be dark far too soon for any more climbing today, unless you'd like to learn the fastest way down."

In reply to GM (msg # 188):

Let's go!

Titus says with his cat that ate the canary smile.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 189):

Bryce frowns and looks  from Titus to Enrei.

"I'm not sure which a ya is slower.  If you want to break your neck in the dark, enjoy yourself, but you'll do it without me."

In reply to GM (msg # 190):

"If it's too dark, it's too dark. Let's make camp."

Enrei looks around the camp he and Deev have occupied for most of the day and seems to get a bit nervous, "But, is not dark yet.  Maybe we go little way before is get dark," he looks at Brennan and Bryce hopefully then his face falls into one of confusion, "Where are we going?"

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 192):

"There's a village in the valley," Brennan explains. "We have to perform an errand there -- quietly -- and then return to the witches afterward. It would be best if nobody there knew what we did, why we were there, or that the witches are involved, so we're going to try not to talk to anyone at all."

He smiles encouragingly at Enrei.

"Where's Deev? And... er... where did that goat come from?"

"I caught the goat," Enrei states proudly, "for milk, but Deev says it does not make milk and he will not tell me what boy goat is good for."

"We should go to this village now," Enrei continues, "No one can see us if is dark," he nods sagely.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 194):

Deev nods and shakes his head slowly when Enrei "explains" the goat "situation".

His ears almost visibly perk up when Enrei mentions moving in the dark and he speaks eagerly, "I can see, I mean, I was always able to get in and out in the dark back in Thorngate.  Might be I could help?"

In reply to Deev (msg # 195):

I'm intrigued.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 196):

Bryce scoffs.

"Even if that kid has torches for eyes, I wouldn't think it a good idea to be on that mountain when it gets dark."

In reply to GM (msg # 197):

How can you help Deev?  Personally I am a fan of going in under cover of night. 

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 198):

Deev looks to Bryce and swallows hard.  He seems to have lost some confidence in his previous suggestion.

"That is... my eyes are great in the dark, I'm sure... unless there's no moon at all... I could climb in the dark...  I guess it would still be dangerous..."

In reply to Deev (msg # 199):

Titus shrugs, unimpressed.

Brennan, what do you think?  Bryce doesn't seem inclined to bring us up the mountain.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 200):

"Perhaps there are things that lurk here at night we'd be best served avoiding. Is that it, Bryce?"

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 201):

Titus rolls his eyes visibly

Yes and I'm messing with dark forces better left alone...
This message was last edited by the player at 20:43, Thu 28 Apr 2016.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 202):

"Might be," Bryce replies with raised eyebrow.  "Also might just be we're more like to fall to our deaths in the dark."

In reply to GM (msg # 203):

"We're not in a huge hurry," Brennan says at last. "And I don't want to send Deev out alone under cover of darkness. We'll go tomorrow, in daylight. Some of us will take the main path and enter the village as passers by looking for supplies and such. Titus, I believe you can probably pull that off with the help of Bryce and Enrei?

That will leave me and Deev free to approach the town from another angle and disrupt the circle before doubling back to a rendezvous point.

You'll purchase some minor supplies peaceably and be on your way. We'll all meet up afterward, swap tales, and rest before heading back to the witches. Easy in, easy out. Thoughts?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:53, Fri 29 Apr 2016.

Enrei shakes his head at Brennan's plan, "I can go with Deev, we will not fall.  You tell us what is errand, we can be all done and see witches in morning.  This is better.  We do not need to wait."

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 205):

Brennan begins to object, notes the determination in Enrei's eyes, and then stifles it.

"Very well. Enrei and Deev, you may ravel to the outskirts of the village tonight under cover of darkness. It seems my objections have done little to deter you, so... so be it. You will find the village surrounded by a peculiar circle."

At this point, he describes it as perfectly as his photographic memory allows based on the witch's description.

"Disrupt the circle such that it is no longer contiguous -- so parts do not touch each other in at least one section -- and return quietly. Don't be seen, and if you DO get caught, don't explain what you've done. Just say you were lost and hurry back here."

"Titus, Bryce, and I will be waiting here with the horses and supplies. If you don't make it back by morning, we'll have to come after you. Because we'd be forced to assume you weren't able to complete the task. Sound good?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:49, Fri 29 Apr 2016.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 206):

Titus lays out and stretches like a cat.

Or you could stay here and I could tell you stories and sing songs....

He offers.

Enrei looks at Titus with amix of longing and irritation, "Take care of my goat," he instructs the minstrel before wrapping his arm around Deev's shoulders, "We will do errand," he says confidently as he steers the smaller man in the general direction of the village.