Cyrus is not surprised with the revelation of corruption amongst the nobility. He is all too familiar with it himself. Cyrus moves closer to Valoria and adopts her quiet volume and with a heartfelt sincerity begins, "Valoria, it saddens me that you have been treated so poorly by your own Father. Thank the gods for Andalon's father's actions. I am glad you are with us instead of locked in some keep."

Cyrus pauses, unsure of whether he should reveal his own dealings with such noble parents. He opts instead to acknowledge the pain she must be feeling continuing, "To be taken away from all you have known and loved, to be taken away from your studies, to be exiled from house and home, all because of the infidelity, fear and shame of another, worse even your own father... Valoria, no one deserves such harsh treatment. I am deeply sorry for your plight."

"With Fathers like ours, it is no wonder we are so far from home..." He trails off at the end and stares at the fire.

The only one who really settles down to sleep early is Andalon - the conversations and tensions keep just about every one else awake for longer than they ought to be.

But before long, everyone is awake again as the wolves in the forest start to howl.  The moon is up and shining brightly, the air is still with a faint spring nip and chillness about it.  And it is hard to tell how far away the wolves are.

Rook's eyesight was unlike Aris'ta's and once he left the illumination of the fire, his movement slowed considerably. Even with the moon shining he had to shuffle forward with his hands out. He could've made light, but was concerned that would draw attention to just the two of them away from the others. He did finally see her, a shadow moving in the darkness. His eyes adjusted further, pupils taking over almost the entirety of his iris. The young man, though he could vaguely see her motions, misread them and reached out and grasped her hand when she was gesturing him over.

"What?" He whispered in initial confusion. "No, this is all a misunderstanding. I forgot, you're not used to my behavior. I got too comfortable." Rook shuffled forward even more. "I was teasing, it was playful. No malice." He let go of her fingers now that he felt he wasn't in danger of falling or tripping over something. "You barely know me and I know less about you. It's unfortunate, but it happens. It's new experiences for the both of us. Don't feel embarrassed for wanting companionship, most everyone does. I'm sorry for making you feel...whatever you felt." He could pick up on the movements of her head as a whole, mostly by following the outline.

"You don't have to be out here alone, no one at the fire wants that. I'm just as used to late nights as you, but I'd still prefer to be by the fire. There's no nee--" But he was cut off by the sound of a wolf howling. It was single at first and then joined by others, they mixed together and made it impossible for him to count how many. "Come on." He said no longer in a whisper, but still quiet. "I need you to lead me back, please. I don't want to make a light and single us out."

Aris'ta was more than a little taken back when Rook reached out to grab her hand. Though her fingers instinctively curled at first, she quickly realized his desire for stability and relaxed her hand until he had released it. As he continued speaking, she pulled it back and squeezed the fingers with her other hand. She was just beginning to have the making of a lop-sided grin when a sound broke through the air. Instinctively, she turned and looked around, attempting to spot any sign of looming danger but if anything is there she does not see it. Instead, she only nods to what he says and turns round, only then remembering he likely couldn't see her.

"Come on. " she says, reaching out her to curl around his upper arm as she started to lead him back towards the fire as quickly as she was confident he could move given the darkness. "It was foolish of you to follow me..." she started, looking back at him over her shoulder. "But thank you all the same." Then, with a look around once more she continued until they were close. When she was sure he could see and move easily on his own she released him, moving to retrieve her bow which would require restringing.

Andalon had indeed gone to sleep quickly. He expected to be woken in the middle of the night to take his turn on watch so he woke easily when the wolves started howling. He crawled out of his bedding and took up his shield and morningstar as his crossbow would be no use to him in the darkness. He made his way over to where the others that were awake had gathered.

"Does anyone here know about wolves? How far away do you think they are? Are they likely to attack a group as numerous as ours tonight?" he asked.

Cyrus was still staring at the fire when the wolves began to howl. He'd seen Aris'ta and Rook both head into the forest separately a whole back. And now that nocturnal hunters were potentially headed their way, he hoped that Aris'ta made her way back quickly.

He reached down to his arm, the place he had been bit just the day before. It was healed now but that didn't take away the concern he now had. "Valoria, if you know any magic that can enlarge a fire of push the wolves away, I say now is the time. Andalon, I am no wolf expert but I do know their teeth sharp.... If you have a torch, or even a long stick, prepare it. Wolves are not fond of fire.

Zorah wakes as the others begin to stir.  She hears the wolves the others are discussing and tries to pinpoint their direction or possibly how many there are by the different sounds.


15:44, Today: Zorah rolled 13 using 1d20+7 ((6)).

When Valoria heard the wolves yet again her blood ran cold. Getting up and placing herself behind Cyrus, she shook her head to his question. “I have no such spell at my disposal.” In truth, she felt a bit useless in such a contest. With only a few spells usable in this combat, she would have to use them wisely.

The wolves seem to be somewhere in the forest behind you, although distance is difficult to judge, in the clear night air.  However, as the howls continue it is clear that they are all coming from the one direction.  At least they aren't circling your camp ...

"What about light, can you or your cousin provide any extra light? Zorah, can you please throw any extra wood we have on the fire? The bigger it is the better."

Cyrus drew his sword and made sure his shield was at the ready. He'd much rather the wolves teeth dig into the steel of his shield than his arm or his leg. He also knew seeing the wolves would greatly improve his chances, he felt like he would be swinging his sword blindly but any extra light his friends could provide would be most welcome.

Has anyone seen Aris'ta and Rook. Ari is the only one of us who might be able to see where these wolves actually are in this light."

Zorah makes a popping noise with her mouth to draw the attention of Puck.  Holding up two fingers she issues a command.  "Drag," she says pointing to a large pile of branches and dried plants at the edge of the camp.  Instead the groggy horse circles around the fire getting in the way while Zorah tries to stack more wood on the fire.  "Puck!  What are you doing?"  She yells at the horse.

Once she is sure the wolves are close enough to hear Zorah makes a few quick movements of her hands near her mouth and whispers a few words under her breath before letting out her best impression of a howl.


11:26, Today: Zorah rolled 14 using 1d20+13.  handle animal for Puck to work.  Ugh!

Zorah casts speak with animals.  If/when the wolves are close enough Zorah will call out to them.

"Abadar will give us light. Light, detect magic and create water are the three orisons I prayed for today. Shield your eyes,"

Andalon casts Light on a stick and pokes it into the ground at a suitable place (between the fire and the horses.)

"I can call forth the light when required but it will only last a little while before I have to do it again. I will need to sleep when I can. Should we move the horses closer to the fire so they are not out in the darkness?" he asked.

Before long the campsite is ablaze with light, but the howling of the wolves doesn't appear to be getting any closer.  Then it goes quiet for a couple of minutes before there is the distant scream of an animal in its death throws somewhere in the forest behind you.

Pulling her gloves more tightly on her hands, she flexed her fingers as she came back into the light, trying to play nonchalance. "Did I hear my name?" she questioned, without another look at Rook. There is an irritation in her voice, but where it comes from is anyone's guess. "I take it we are all on edge from the wolves?" she adds as she moves towards the elastic limb before leaning on her knee to rummage for a new string in order to ready herself for what may come or her turn at watch. There are enough eyes alert, so she takes her time.

"It sounds like the wolves caught their meal.  Maybe a deer or moose from the sound of it.  They shouldn't be a threat unless something besides hungry drives them."  Zorah seems satisfied that the threat is over and heads back to her bedroll.  She fluffs her "pillow".  Murdock grunts at her before resuming his role as pillow.

"Thank you all, I would prefer not to offer up my arm as a midnight snack for one of these wolves. Perhaps we should double the watch and gather extra firewood for the remainder of the evening?

Rook follows Aris'ta from the woods rather quickly, shielding his eyes from the extra light of the camp. He's without his shirt and boots, though his symbol hangs from his neck as always. "Erastil's eye!" He exclaims. "Is everyone afraid of the animals here or something? First I get to see Percy wettin' his britches cause of a stirge and now the whole camp is lit up like a wedding party on account of some wolves." He shuffles over to his bedroll and pulls his shirt on to help warm him up. "They're wolves. They chase what they're after. You think they're gonna come and snatch us up from beside a fire? Go back to sleep and worry about people sneaking up on us, not animals."

Aris'ta could have laughed at the scolding Rook gave their companions, but instead, she was silent. Once more, she was sitting on her bedroll, placed strategically next to Rooks and Zorahs, folding her legs beneath her as she started working her bow together. It was likely the most uncomfortable 10 minutes of her life. Acutely aware of the actions of others for the first time in her life.

"The same wolves who killed your traveling companion and injured Henry and myself before finally being put to run? I am glad you are so brave as to run around half naked in the woods at night but it was yours and Aris'ta's absence along with the wolves that increased our need for additional light. Caution being the better part of valor and some such. Tease me now but you will thank me when it counts."

The nerve of those two to act like there was nothing to fear...

Andalon sighed with relief when Aris'ta and Rook returned from the woods. Rook's words gave him a great deal of comfort but he did understand Cyrus's concerns as well, so he helped Cyrus collect more firewood before going back to bed again.

The young man sat atop his bedroll and took the time to wipe the bottom of his feet off, freeing them of the dirt and detritus gained by walking through the woods barefoot. He pulled his legs back and stuck them into the bottom of the roll, pulling the front over his legs roughly.

"Oh, you know for certain these are the same wolves? Even though we're in an area hours from where Moto was killed? Moto, a person who was traveling alone? During the day? Don't pin your fear on me. More light here wouldn't find me lost in the woods." He laid down then, closing his eyes and folding his hands across his chest.

Aris'ta looked from first Cyrus to Rook and shook her head. "Quiet. The both of you." she said sharply, more so than she had wished given those around them. "If you were so afraid Cyrus, you might have spoken our names. We could easily have heard you. Rook was merely settling a misunderstanding. " she turned to Rook and sighed, hesitant. "Be kind to those who take death not so lightly as you, there are those of us who take pains in any loss of life. No matter who is to blame. " her voice dropped and she turned her head away from both of them to hide the sadness there.

Not even opening her eyes from where she lay near Aris'ta, Zorah added to the discussion.  "We do have a few light wolf snacks in the camp."  She cleared her throat and thrust the small hedgehog she used as a teddy bear into the air.  Sedgewig struggled briefly before giving up and hanging helplessly in the air for a few seconds until Zorah pulled him back in close.

Upon Zorah's presentation of Sedgewig, Cyrus laughed heartily. He'd been thinking of retorts for Rook's mockery, but couldn't help but laugh at Zorah's tension clearing words.

"I am glad we are all safe this evening, from whatever pack of wolves is in the area." And with that Cyrus resumed his watch silently.

The rest of the night passes quietly, and you manage to get a reasonable night's rest.  In the morning you break camp and set off slowly along the route to the east, that you suspect the others will have taken.  A couple of hours later, you spot a wagon and a group of horsemen coming towards you.

As they draw closer, Rook recognises his companions from the trip to Oleg's, along with a number of other people.