"I am all Greek, and 'tis my best side," replies Dyanna archly, one eyebrow raised.

As he begins following the ball he says over his shoulder, "Then, perhaps, between us we make a complete example of the Greek and then some."

Cuivi clambers down from his rocky vantage point, remounts and rides to rejoin his companions. "It was a good thing just done, Greek, Slav, Magyar, Northman or Frank, all sides showed true courage to dispatch that heartless monster so quickly. His kind have no redemption in them and it is a kindness to the land to remove them. I extend thanks from my heart but also from the friend you saved today. I am most proud to be a humble companion to such noble souls."

Miroslav nods his shaggy head at the shaman..."Yes, tis a good thing to have made such an ally. We may need the help of the dvoriem someday. By the way, keep your eyes on the sky. It seems he may be following us."

The party continue to follow the ball for the better part of the next week. Always heading northeast. Luckily the weather is pleasant...warm days and cool night but not too cool.

There is something about this copper ball. It rolls faster than the wooden one but for some reason your mounts have no trouble keeping up and there always seems to be a clear path before you as if the forest itself was making your way faster and easier both by bolstering your mounts and by clearing the way.

Soon the landscape begins to look familiar to both Miroslav and Yaro...

Yaro scans the countryside as the continue to travel.

"This is beginning to look like familiar terrain. I have been here before. Unless I am mistaken, soon we should come upon the shores of Lake Beloye, The city of Beloozero lies a bit to the south of here."

The strange journey is all a bit much for young Yaro but he is finding some comfort in seeing familiar lands. In fact he can feel his home in almost near by Novgorod calling his soul.

Jaleh rides up next to A'kos and lets her horse nudge his. Once we finish this quest, we need to retire to the estate for a while. I am feeling low on energy." Her faces a bit of concern as she speaks.

A'kos eyebrows raise but he says nothing, knowing the woman's mercurial moods.  He nods once instead, and offers an encouraging smile.

As predicted by Yaro...within a half hour the party sees the shore of a great lake in the distance, Lake Beloye. Yaro estimates that the city of Beloozero lies roughly a hours ride to the southeast along the shore.

The copper ball continues to lead you tot he lakes shore. After your long journey the sounds of crashing waves are a nice change form the sounds of the forest. You crest another hill to come upon a beautiful view of Lake Beloye...this is a very large lake, you can not even make out the distant shore. In the distance you see a small fishing boat and beyond that a forested island possibly a mile in diameter at its most narrow point and two miles at it's widest point.

The ball picks up speed and stops at the shore. It's increase in speed makes it reach the beach a few minutes before you do.

As they traveled behind the ball Loukas sings, or at least hums, old Rus songs as he enters a near meditative state that opens his senses to their surroundings, so the shift from forest to lake is quite acute to him, and he relishes it. Despite this state and the fact that he is afoot he has no problem keeping up with the copper ball until it speeds up, so he is with the party as they find themselves on the shore of the lake... "Perhaps we ought to have brought the Heart of Oak with us?"

Yaro stops his horse right at the waters edge and looks out over the familiar lake. "This heart of Oak you speak of, a ship yes? I have never been on an ocean going ship, river barges and fishing boats yes but not a real ship. Perhaps someday."

Has the ball just stopped?  Can Balthazar just pick it up now?  If so, he says, "I believe this island beyond is our destination - but yeah, we need a boat."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:27, Sat 27 Nov 2010.

The ball has indeed stopped...but even as the Hedonite stoops down to pick it up the wind begins to blow and the horse seem agitated, almost frightened by the wind. Dark storm clouds gather over the lake at at alarming and unnatural rate.

OOC: Since I seem to have posted at the same time as Nestor, I'm re-editing this to reflect the story better.

Loukas nods in affirmation to Yaro's question, "Yes, it is the name of our ship and you would be a welcome crewmate."

Having born the copper ball when they were not following it since taking it from Vikhor's table, Loukas can not help but feel somewhat possessive. When Balthazar moves forward towards the ball he bends over and picks it up himself, "It has led us here, but this is not necessarily our final destination. Once we figure out how to get to the island, something tells me we may yet need its guidance..."

When the winds suddenly pick up he looks up at the sky over the lake, "Or maybe we are expected?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:43, Sat 27 Nov 2010.

"This seems to have a familiar feel to it," Dyanna says a bit breathlessly.

Sitting ahorse, she awaits what the fates have in store.

Miroslav urges his nervous mount forward..."Remember the wooden ball popped when it lead us to our destination. If this one has not yet popped then we must assume we need to get to that island."

The winds pick up and the water becomes choppy.

"It seems we shall not be welcomed with open arms," notes Dyanna, raising her voice to be heard over the wind and pounding surf.  "And how do you propose we reach yon shore?  Swim?"

Looking about for any signs of a rowboat or canoe that had been used by others, Loukas scratches his beard, "Perhaps we build a raft?"

Miroslav points out the fishing boat in the distance to those who have not noticed it yet..."Still it is far off and does us no good here."

All the mounts except for A'Kos's and Jean's a spooked and are getting harder to control as the wind increases and the water becomes even more choppy.

Glad not to be on a horse Loukas looks at Miroslav, "Yes, but I am unsure I would want to be in a boat in this weather... By the way, is it just me or does this sudden weather seem to be suspiciously coincidental with our arrival? Perhaps whomever is out there does not wish us to pay visit?

"If so, then what?"

Remember we seek the death of Koshchei...or at least that is what the copper ball was going to lead us to. I would imagine he has made finding whatever holds his death unpleasant to reach."

With some difficulty he wheels his mount around and says..."I suggest that we retreat for a bit and see if the winds die down when we leave the area of the lake."

Jean chirps to the nervous horses and beckons them closer.

"Ride close by and your mounts should be calmed."

OOC: All allies within 10feet of Sir Jean are immune to fear.

He then wheels Donnerhuf and makes to follow Miroslav's suggestion.

Nodding in agreement and looking down at the ball in his hand, "Yes, I think you are right... What if we were to destroy this thing, or throw it into the lake. Such an action might indicate to them that we are not necessarily here to fight anyone. After all, we simply want the Prince and to inform them that we have done their work for them... Right?"

OOC: Am I misremembering something -- we aren't necessarily here to kill The Deathless are we? It's that Vikhor's intention was for us to use this to find and kill him and by using it we might give the wrong impression. Right?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:51, Sat 27 Nov 2010.

Yaro edges his panicked horse nearer to Sir Jean. As the begin to retreat he looks up at the rumbling sky and says "This storm may be something of an alarm for when outsiders get to close to the death? But that does not explain the fishing boat, would that not have set off an alarm?"

"Sounds like some scouting is in order.  Retreat back to the treeline, and I will report back in a little while."

Balthazar casts invisibility and fly and takes off in the direction of the fishing boat and the island, flying high enough to spot any other boats in the vicinity or structures on the island.