"I was never known for my charisma, so needless to say, engagement without a weapon in my hand rarely went well."

Beloc looks on as Sypher reassures him. "Trust. It has to start somewhere."

The man down below who appears to speak to Shiaran motions with his hand, directing her, and the pointing back at the rest of the party. Once he points, the other men turn to look back at the Badger crew.

Shiaran smiles and stands without using her hands.  A small thing, but maybe enough to show them she is fit.  She turns to the others on the hill and waves at them to come on down.

Sypher turns to the others.  "Let's go.  Krem, too.  Darius can stay in the Badger.  We don't want to alarm them with that thing.  If they want to see it, they'll ask for it when we get there.  We'll tell them we left a driver up here. "

The Badger rocks a bit at R.E.B.O.R.T. steps out of the vehicle. He presents Beloc with a small vial, similar to the one give to Sypher, but different in color. "For when you need the extra strength to tip the scales."

Beloc receives a potion of Bull's Strength. Duration 6 minutes.

Beloc thanks the large construct and pockets the vial. "Let's try to look at friendly as possible", he says as he retracts his armor.

"Shall we?"

The four make their way down the gentle slope of the large hill and soon find themselves face to face with Shiaran and the barbarians. The one who has been speaking with Shiaran nods in contempt at the motley crew. He looks back at Shiaran, eyes narrowed.

"You now bring me one scrawny varrior, some sort of unnatural creature, and den.. dose two. An elf, and a green skin" he says, finishing his sentence by spitting on the ground. The other men all spit on the ground as well at the sight of their leader doing so.

Behind where Beloc and company walked down, they see two more barbarian men. Hunters, who were tailing them. Their bodies are covered in grass and dirt as a camouflage. Each carries a long bow, with an arrow nocked but not drawn back.

"I do not know vat your intentions are, voman, but you surely must see dis does not look very good to us. Ve live a life of solitude from de outside vorld. So vhen de outside vorld come to us, we are suspicious as ve should be".

With the appearance of the two scouts behind them, Beloc raises his hands, palms open, to show no hostility.

"I already told you my intentions.  We did not want to try and sneak past and then make your town even more wary of us.  I wanted to let you know we were here, but that we were just passing through and mean no harm to anyone.  We have no intentions towards disturbing your peace.  Please, just allow us to drive around the edge of the village and be on our way."  At this point, Shiaran no longer has her hands out.  She stands in a relaxed stance with her hands together in front of her waist, as diplomatic and non-threatening a pose as she can conceive.

Behind her, Sypher nods in support.

"An elf, who can assure you, knows the strength of the great people that occupy these lands." He motions towards Shiaran. "She tells the truth, we mean you no harm."

The barbarian looks everyone over, contemplating the situation. He silently steps away for a moment to consult the other men. The two scouts at a distance keep their eyes trained on the group. After a minute or so of hushed deliberation, he returns. "Dis is not a madder dat I can give authority on, nor any man in de village. I vould enjoy telling you to move along and pass, but dat has to come from a jarl. And he is not here at dis time. He's attending business at Vaaringard, to de north. Vere exactly are you headed? If it is near to Vaaringard, den dey can escort you" he says, motioning towards the scouts. "If not, den we are back to our problems, and vill odderwise have to turn you avay".

Shiaran taps her chin in thought.  "May I have a few moments to confer with my companions?"

"I vill afford you dis courtesy, yes".

Shiaran steps away a few steps.  She makes no special effort to be out of earshot, but does keep to low tones.  "Look, I know we are trying to complete our main...quest.  However, I these are the living and should this thing come to final confrontation at the end of it all, I believe it would be a good thing to have these guys on good terms.  I'd like your input on whether or not we should meet this jarl or just lock down in the badger and push through."

"What's on the table if we meet with Jarl, is there some sort of arrangement they are trying to make with us? We help them, they help us?"

"The point of meeting with the Jarl is that we get to move through their lands with permission and don't make an unnecessary enemy and potentially gain an ally moving forward in this war.  We have no quarrel with these folks and have nothing to gain by angering them.  I think the expenditure of time is worth it if we can gain their friendship.  Barring that, perhaps we can at least work out a non-aggression agreement and give our word not to come on to their lands again."

Beloc nods in agreement. "We are in desperate need of allies. If there is something we can do to earn their trust, and do quickly, I would say go for it. It may actually make things easier down the line."

"It's a good play, Shy.  Beloc is right.  We need allies, desperately.  If these guys aren't even in the fight yet, it could tip the balance toward the light."

Shiaran nods then turns to Krem and Rebort.  "Gentlemen?"

"I do not object. I have something for you though. It may prove useful in defensive measures."

R.E.B.O.R.T. hands Shiaran the third and final vial.

Shiaran gets a Potion of Blinking which lasts 6 rounds.

"Oi got no qualms with makin' new friends. Maybe they can poin' us in tha roight direction while they're at it".

"Thanks, Rebort."  She tucks the vial away in a pouch.  She'll have to ask what it does later.  "Alright, so we are all in agreement.  Glad that's settled."

She turns back to the clansmen.  "Please, take us to your Jarl.  And thank you."

The lead barbarian nods. "Very vell den". He motions for the two scouts to enter the hamlet. "Luutvig and Toki vill escort you to Vaaringard. Dat thing der cannot go though" he says, pointing over at the Badger. "It vill cause too much of a ruckus with our kin. Dey vill not like dis. Is der anyvone inside of it?".

"Darius," Shiaran says before anyone else speaks up.  "I will go and get him.  May we gather our supplies for traveling on foot?"

The lead just nods, and turns his back to you as Luutvig and Toki make their way over to join you. Neither of them says a word, but one motions towards the Badger with his bow. As everyone makes their way up, the scouts make it a point to walk ten paces behind the group.

At the Badger, Darius is sitting with the door open. "So, negotiations with the locals went well I presume?"