Maira blushed at the dwarf nodding."Of course, thank you" a little lost for words around another dwarf the sister left quickly, retiring early and waking at the crack of dawn for morning prayers.

"Road food? Well can't be sayin' no to that, no sir."

At the mention of food, Rowan thought about finding some more, not looking forward to eating her rations. Dipping into them though, she poured out an extract of bitters and rubbed it on her teeth before going to find breakfast . . .

Looking for work most of the day was hungry work, and turning up nothing to show for it saw Rowan drinking in the pub on coppers again, the next morning finding her a little less of a mess than the one before, and ready for road food

Another round of baking occurred overnight as Una appeared, this time with savoury scones to compliment her raisin treats. These had a spicy kick to them, sprinkled with some of Una's own magical fiery spice.

"To beat the chill and warm the belly! Dig in everyone, we've a nice ride ahead of us."

The morning came with a bit of mist after a short rain. The coachman, true to his word, was waiting in front of the Ye Olde Bucket of Beer at dawn. He was a tall, thick shouldered Half-Orc, known as Hegig, who was said to have an affinity for animals and a particular talent for sniffing out an ambush. He wore a mail shirt and longsword and heavy crossbow could be seen resting on the jump seat next to where he would drive the coach from.

There were two medium sized chests strapped to the top of the coach and two barrels were strapped to the running board at the back of the coach. The coach itself was quite sizable and could accommodate twice their number without trouble. The open door reveals two broad benches that were thickly padded and covered in velvet. There was a soft, warm glow from a lantern that was magically lit hanging from roof. The whole coach was plain and black, but gave off a sense of craftsmanship.

"Welcome ladies." Helgig said. "If you would set you cargo here and make yourselves comfortable we shall be departing soon."

"You are the one called Hegig, correct?"

Berksenna moved a hand smoothly, the water around her as she walked freezing into a patina of frost, swirling and dancing like flowers in the wind, and generally fleeing her coming as she approached.

Holding the book-sized envelope tight, she climbed into the carriage to find her seat, her mage armour glowing softly as she drew her cloak around herself to conceal the glow as a courtesy to her fellow travelers.

OOC: shape water

Rowan pushed forward with rude impatience, the wet mist making her head throb most acutely.

Pausing to haul the cargo for the little ones and secure it, and stowing her glaive across the luggage, she climbed in and (judging that the space would be best shared with her next to the half-elf) sat down next to Berskenna

"Your visions say anything about this wet weather continuing?"

A clanging mess of a cook's kit and assortments of herbs were handed to Rowan to pack safely, topped by a (LOADED) crossbow, which Una remembered at the last minute really should be unloaded

Sitting in the carriage, she gazed outside again

"I was just out there. It's so much more pretty when you're not in the wet. The wet I mean, it's prettier."

Rubbing her hands together she pinched the lapels of her adventurer's jacket, the mist and light rain smoking off of her clothes. She'd learned long ago the magic didn't work for living flesh, but clothing worn on living flesh was fair game!

OOC: prestidigitation

"It you lasses will please find a comfortable spot." Helgig said with a flourish of his hand.

Waiting while everyone boarded and then loading their excess baggage for them, Helgig soon had the coach rolling along. Four black stallions pulling in unison powered the coach along at a pace that ate miles off of their journey. The ride was quite smooth, it was a good coach, allowing them to relax as they watched the rain fall on the swamp lands. They passed occasional farms and settlements where people worked their crops, herds, forges, and looms despite the rain.

A little before lunch the coach slowed, a wagon going the other way passed by, and they could feel the wagon roll up onto a bridge. The rails to either side were tall and close enough to block the doors from opening. They could see the water flowing, rapidly as it passed under the bridge from northwest to southeast. It was slow going and the women realized that the coach was rolling through a couple of feet of water as it ran over the bridge itself.

As they came to the end of the bridge there was a bit of a jam-up of wagon and carts to light for the overflowing current. As the coach into an available space to try and skirt some of the congestion at the bridge a voice rang out in horror.

"Stop him! Grab him!" A man was shouting and pointing. He was stumbling on a walking stick and looking into the swirling gray water. "My son! My son! Help him!"

Rowan jumped up and out of the carriage, looking around for who the old man was calling to stop and getting ready to chase them.

OOC: Perception check 22
This message was last edited by the player at 18:14, Tue 15 Feb 2022.

Maria peered out of the window. Quickly stripping down to her undergarments and passing them to Una, Maria shot out of the carriage and dove into the water. Towards where the man was pointing. No child would be lost again, she prayed to the one God, to Aldis and Mirran to give her strength, for Horstofritz to stay his hand and for Mansfredda to protect the child.
ooc 13 for athletics

OOC: Is the river paralell or perpendicular to us? Can we see the person who needs stopping? How wide is the river? Wondering if casting Shape Water (range 30ft) to freeze a 5ft cube would help stop things
This message was last edited by the player at 03:24, Wed 16 Feb 2022.

Rowen peered through the storm and spotted a bobbing blond mop of hair. Pointing as she stepped off the coach, Maria sudden burst out of the coach making a dash at the ckild in the water. Berskenna, spotting the child, immediately cast a spell causing a pecular formation of ice to form at the edge of the flooded river. As Maria dove into the water, Rowen burst into a run, and the two closed on the child just as the boy struck the ice and was sort pitched up towards the shore. Who was the first to lay hands on the child is a matter of conjecture, but in heartbeats Maria and Rowen were knelling to either side of the panting, sobbing child.

The man cam hobbling up as quickly as he could to collapse next to the child. Maria sat back on her haunches as the ice sudden broke from the shore. looking over at the odd sound she could see a bit of something off. Worked stone, like that of a doorway or gate. But this would have been buried otherwise.

Berskenna walked around to where Rowan and Maria had pulled the child from the river, motioning her hands to dissolve the ice into water again as it flowed downstream.

Leaning on her whorled staff, she watched with some concern

"Will he be alright?"

Hustling after her companions Una arrived a little out of breath, waving her hands and speaking a few short magic words to dry the boy off

OOC: prestidigitation

Maria hyugged the boy tightly, she checked him over quickly to see if he was injured then smiled, "Hello there, you can call me Maria. Now what could have happened to have gotten yerself in the river young one?" she brushed the wet hair out of the boys eyes. She handed him off to his father, thanking the group.
"He'll be just fine once he gets a warm cup of tea and a scone in him" she tested the ground, "Now that is odd, look here at this stonework"

Una dug into her pack, pulling out a scone to hold out to the boy

"The tea's going to be a minute!"

Berskenna waited for the water to ebb back from the stone and then moved her hand quickly, a line of frost forming into a low ice wall to hold the water back from the stonework

OOC: shape water, wouldn't work perfectly but it could reduce the reach of the water some

She gave Maria a smile

The water ebbed away from the stonework. It revealed a stout granite support beam, Dwarven work to be sure, and off a fashion that had not been in style for longer than anyone could remember. An intriguing mystery to say the least, but this storm and flooding had surely filled the ancient passage.

The boy drank tea between episodes of panting, sobbing, and shivering. The rain did little to help; it chilled and diluted the tea, soaked and chilled them all, and fought to ensure the flooding took the ancient tunnel from sight. That is until a man stepped up to them all and waved a hand. The rain suddenly flowed over an invisible barrier above them and ran off well to the sides. With another wave of his hand the wind slowed somewhat around them and it became a touch less chilling.

"It would seem that you ladies are full of surprises." The old man said. He smiled broadly and brought a glowing crystal from his pocket casting soft yellow light around them. "And no lack of bravery seems to be chief among them."

He was old, in the way of humans, with a flowing gray-black beard though he had very sharp eyes that seemed to miss nothing. He wore a simply travel cloak that was dry despite the rain and his trousers and shirt seemed to be made of simple homespun embroidered with glyphs and sigils of an arcane nature.

"That's us!"

Rowan took a sip of her waterskin, see as she was wet anyways, and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand

"Brave as a bear and cunning as an otter."

She did spare a look at the rain shield, mouth slightly agape like a codfish before turning to the ruins revealed

"Maria, any insight into this stonework? At least what kinda of dwarf made this?"

Una continued to speak to the child softly and calmly, a smile on her face

"If you have the strength for it, I can sprinkle a little something which will warm you. I can also flavour your tea, if that will help?"

Una held up her seasoning bag with a satchel marked with a rune in primordial, and moved her fingers, a ghostly orange fire wisping on her finger tips, the tea already heating back up slowly

OOC: prestidigitation, Persuasion 10

The child smiled. Una wasn't sure if it was the warmth or the sweet rose taste of the tea.

"Thank you all so much." The man said. He ushered the child to his feet and the pair began mucking their way to a covered wagon not far away.

Sister Maria nodded to the newcomer, letting Una's sweet charms calm the child. "Thank you Berskenna, grandfather. If you don't mind me taking a look, would someone tye a rope around me. It looks like we're standing on some old flood tunnels. I'm pretty good in the dark, I'm going to try and see what I can find"

"Be well and travel safely."

Berskenna unhooked her rope, handing it to Rowan

"I'd imagine a woman of the sea can tie a knot?"

She smiled to Maria

"We could go together if you want some protection?"

Maria smiled and nodded, "Of course! Be careful not to get your armor wet, I can help you out of it if it'll weigh you down"

Berskenna smiled, laying a hand on the runes and lines on her chest, the light glowing brighter

"Just robes, magic and me, dearest sister. Lead the way?"