"The pond is inside the outer bailey." Wulfsen said. "It's safe."

"You're certain?" Sileas was skeptical. "Doesn't the water feed in from the river? There's no way for them to get through?" She wasn't about to put Oscar in any danger from the mermen.

"It's spring fed." Wulfsen said. "It's safe."

Sileas relaxed a bit. "All right. We can soak him for a little bit."

Wulfsen smiled. "Better let him know that soap is of the table for tonight."

Sileas nodded. "Oscar, we have found a compromise. No soap involved, but just a nice soak in the pond."

The winded Juniper was drawn to the sounds of chatter and commotion. Quickly she made her way across the grounds towards Sileas.

"What sort of trouble have you gotten into now love?"

She seemed to addressing everyone present at the same time.

"I have been trying to convince Oscar of the virtues of a bath, but he is determined that soap will remove his skin. So Wulfsen has brokered a compromise of Oscar soaking in the pond and not use soap yet."

Juniper raised an eyebrow at Oscar and decided to aid Sileas in her troubles.

"Ah a bath. That sounds heavenly. This heat is killing me. May I join?"

Sileas arched an eyebrow ever so slightly. "As long as there's no total nudity, it's all right with me."

Juniper shifted her weight to one leg and raised her hands, palms out. Several comments passed through her head but she kept them silent.

"I abide to your rules. Let's get a move on. I'd like to be back before dark. "

"Come along, Oscar. Let's get you washed up and then inside. I am with Juniper, I have no desire to be outside when dark falls."

Oscar warily crept from his hiding place.

"No soap?"

"No soap. I don't carry it on me," she said, smiling at him.

"Let's get stepping then! Daylights burning and I'm hungry. "

Juniper patted Wulfsens shoulder as she made it past him as she followed Sileas.

Oscar cautiously followed Sileas, sniffing to catch any girly scents.

Sileas headed to the pond, hoping it would be safe for everyone involved.

Bai's neck itched as the gate came into view. The objects were here, he could sense them. He noticed the guards over the gate and stepped into the trees to think for a moment. Those in charge might be in possession of the objects, and they might not be good people. Bai did not want to stroll up there and get his head blown up or something.

"What's up?" asked Dyfrig, who'd been about to walk up to the gate openly.

"It never hurts to be careful." Bai said, squinting at one of the guards. He lifted his staff and moved it across his range of vision before lowering the staff again.

"I know nothing of these people. I shall merely offer my services. If they are not interested, then my journey continues. It's as simple as that."

Dyfrig stepped out towards the gate, leaning on his staff and pushing his floppy hat back with one hand.

Bai did not sense anything magical about the guards, but knew that someone inside the keep had magic. He stayed back to see how it went with Dyfrig.

"Who the hell are you?" One of the guards on the wall demanded. He pointed a crossbow at Dyfrig. "Answer me before I put a bolt through your eyeball!"

"Greetings to you too," said Dyfrig with a smile.

"My name is Dyfrig. Might you be in need of a cook in this fine fortification?"

"I'll ask the questions and you'll speak when spoken to!" Excessive Force shouted. "Where did you come from? Are you a raider? What's your favorite color? Are you carrying weapons?"