With warming weather comes the security of safer routes through the southern waters along the coasts of Lenosia and its island chains. Safer passages and tamer waters heralds in the renewed vigor of Abandoned pirate ships harrying merchant vessels taking the newly established routes winding through the Eventide Vast.

The Unsullied, however, makes the voyage into Valardin-controlled waters with little consequence. Still, an unease winds its way through a crew still haunted by an excursion in the Darkwater as whispers of their destination winds through the decks in the off hours of duty. Whispers of the blood-mad Abandoned, so savage and inhumane that the frightful things some of them witnessed almost pales in comparison. Like ladies, they gossip - twisting and weaving tales until the story of the Abandoned tribe rumored to be harrying a smaller village on the borders of the duchy of West Rock's territory has taken a life of its own.

Alis checked command + intimidation at difficulty 30, rolling 6 higher.

Corban checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 8 higher.

Cristoph checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 21 higher.

Titus, a young wolfhound arrives, following Gaston.

Mal, a devious raccoon, Magnolia, a precocious pygmy goat, Daegmund, an Oakhaven Shepherd puppy, Gaston arrive, following Shae.

Monique checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 30, rolling 16 higher.

Reigna checked charm + etiquette at difficulty 30, rolling 13 lower.

Kael checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 20 higher.

Alis is not one prone to take much stoke in idle gossip, lips pursing in disapproval whenever she might happen by a knot of gossipers. So most of her time has been spent leaning against the boat's starboard side, with fingers tapping against the rail impatiently the closer they get to landfall. "Enough with the petty gossip!" To one group that walks by, and with narrowed eyes too. "Unless you have something worthwhile to speak of, you're being both unchivalrous and dampening morale. So stow it."

Nicia checked command + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 3 lower.

Gaston checked charm + diplomacy at difficulty 30, rolling 17 lower.

Shae checked charm + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 7 lower.

Cristoph spends a lot of the journey working on paperwork, because what else is he going to do? Well, apparently he's going to spend his other free moments talking with the crew and trying to convince them that they're not all going to die a bloody death at the hands of the Abandoned. Why? Because he said so. "Sure, there's things out there to be afraid of. But we're a well-trained group with skilled folks onboard. I'm certain that /everything/ is well in hand." Famous last words perhaps.

Nicia's probably one of those sorts that should have stayed home, where they weren't at risk of doing something and getting themselves killed. Right? But no, she's decided to embrace this whole...getting out in the world thing, and learning about things. Which leads her to being probably very annoying to the crew as she tries to figure out what this gossip might be really about.

Marriage is full of compromises. Things like, oh, you and Squall don't get to go to the wedding party, so you and Squall get to go to the high seas adventure! However, given the amount of gossip present upon the vessel, Kael's jaw is setting and he keeps eyeing Reigna as though wondering if that compromise was worth it. Nonetheless, he's often found with his arm around her, murmuring sweet nothings to her, and also doing his best to silence the crew from their gossiping. Is this due to his own benefit or that of Reigna's? Whatever the case, he'll stop his conversation with his wife every so often to go snare a group and inform them, sternly, that they are better people than gossip mongers, and it *does* do harm to continue on.

Yes. Compromise. Reigna is still stewing over Kael's part of the 'Compromise' and thus is largely oblivious to the whisperings going on. WHen she dips a toe in, her interest prohibits any real success in parsing it.

"Do you know what I heard? I heard they weave flower garlands and celebrate puppies," Monique interjects with just the right hint of earnest, casting glances all around the knot of sailors she's found herself in. "And they love their mothers."

For his part, Corban is talking to the sailors, trying to coax out of them the stories that they have heard, encouraging them in their tasks with that mix of praise and criticism that drill sergeants since time immemorial have done. From time to time, he makes eye contact with the Greenmarch Minx across the deck, flashing her a grin.

Gaston of course, is his usual gregarious self in trying to squash any rumors, striding forth boldly, and giving his best smile as he speaks to those around him! Of course, this is likely the problem. Gaston's best smile looks like a hungry animal trying to deceive his prey. It's probably to no one's surprise except Gaston that his attempt is... Perhaps not the most conducive to the effort.

Shae for her part is bubbly and bright and positive! And tries to be her best sunshiny self. But perhaps even that was not even to push the grey clouds away. Sad. But she still tried none the less! Shame they weren't animals, this would have been soooooo much easier!

The young men blanched when Alis speaks out. A chorus of hurriedly uttered apologies spilling freee before the eldest, a contrastively shorter boy of the small trio, begins pushing them quickly from her sight. They don't want a mace in the face today.

And whether they be famous last words Cristoph might later eat doesn't matter, for they're enough to quell the mounting anxiety eating away at the newly recruited young lads and lasses tasked with swabbing the galley after breakfast. Whisper no more of such things, but rather how handsome and chivalrous the Honeyduke is. Loudly. Some people just don't know to whisper.

Nicia, however, stokes the flames so to speak. The second mate, One-Eyed Pete, has one hell of a story to tell the duchess somewhere belowdeck amidst rotational shifts. "... They steal the babies of the villagers during the new moons, absoncdin' away across the waters to The Point of Vigillance to sacrifice 'em all evil-like, to summon and consort with them Abyss-damned..." A shameless gossip, he.

Still, the rumors grow more strange and varied amidst the more junior of the crew, though they've been quelled to a dissonant murmur now and then as the days roll past. It isn't long before land is spotted in the southwestern horizon, rocky shores and uneven cliff terrain breaking the segue of sea and mid-morning sky. The anchor is dropped, smaller longboats lowered into the shallows to allow easy offboarding and transport to shore.

Should any of the rumors prove to have truth to them, there will be a lot of people at risk of a mace to the face. Those on this side of the fence probably needn't worry. "You've garnered yourself some fans, Duke Cristoph." Amused at the new direction of some whispering, Alis gives an obviously exaggerated and utterly false batting of the eyelashes at the Laurents. Yes, both of them. Because why not?

Cristoph clears his throat when he hears Alis' comment. "Yes, so I've gathered. They're going to make me blush, me being so virtuous and all." He smiles at one of his admirers and waves pleasently to one of the cabin boys. This is fine, everything is fine. "Have you seen my wife recently? I wasn't aware it was possible to lose a woman aboard a boat but..." It seems he's unclear where she is at the moment!

"Looks as if we've made it," remarks Kael toward his wife, casting another glance toward her as land is spied off in the distance. There is the issue of the longboats however and he is peering at Reigna as though potentially suggesting that she remain aboard. After a few moments though -- and likely a pointed look from her, but maybe not! -- he is aiding her step to the boat when it is time to board.

Without the perils of morning-sickness, Reigna quite enjoys being on the ship. Not being smashed in the legs with barrels helps. Reigna has been spending much of her time along the rails, watching the water. She looks over to Cristoph when he says he has lost his wife and she blinks, moving over towards her liege and Princess Alis. "Greetings, my lord, your Highness."

"Babies?" Nicia might not exactly believe what the second-mate is saying, but she seems to be a rather willing ear for him to continue talking about that story, even asking a few questions here and there, mostly seeming to be on the nature of the rituals, and how many babies have gone missing so far. It might be true! It certainly doesn't hurt her any to ask for details while they are out on the water, right? Sadly, she forgets all about not getting lost below decks with what are truly horror stories being told to her.

Corban takes a deep breath and steps over to Monique when it comes time to get aboard the boats to go ashore. He offers her an arm to help her in -- because he is chivalrous like that -- and then gets in himself. "Well. Once more into the breach," he tells her, looking out at the danger ahead.

Monique gratefully takes Corban's arm. "Even in the face of peril, you, my lord, are the epitome of chivalry and manners." Into the boat she goes, looking suspiciously into the waters below.

"Count and Countess." With his wife still missing somewhere on the ship, Cristoph will push away from the rail that he leans against and go to the entrance that leads down below. "NICIA! ARE YOU DOWN THERE?" It's a bellow, because the Laurent Duke has to make sure that his voice echoes throughout the entirety of ship underneath. Which won't be disconcerting or annoying at all. "Lady Monique, Lord Corban." He smiles and waves at them and speaks in a normal person voice. However: "NIC!" Then he spots others moving around, "Just Gaston, Lady Shae." And again, "I THINK WE ARE GETTING OFF THE SHIP!"

Countess. Count." Alis greets the Keatons with a warm smile, even as she makes her way to the boats that will take them ashore. "I think you may have to go find her, Duke Cristoph. Unless she will be remaining aboard?... Already taking care of it, then! Okay." That hardly seems like fun! Nevetheless, the princess then gives the others who are disembarking a quick nod and a brief smile.

It doesn't take much more yelling before Nicia starts a mad scramble for the deck of the ship, calling back when she's not having to shout so loudly, "I'm coming!"

Monique shoots a grin to Cristoph, sketching a seated bow. "Duke Cristoph. Congratulations on the painting win. I've got a trail on the artist, if you're interested in the results."

Corban checked perception + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 27 lower.

The Blackram's savage-looking eyes narrow ever so slightly at Cristoph, as the Duke uses the moniker. "Honey Duke," he grumbles, with a slight shake of his head. With his luck, Cristoph will love the name, however.

Reigna goes rather still, even as she is guided by Kael, her feet dragging, her brows lowered. There is a shiver despite the warm sun. She looks up at Kael, her eyes wide, clearly trying to convey some message, even as she shifts her arm to touch his elbow. "Kael..." There is something so very worried in her voice, despite nothing overt to cause it.

Even though Shae is unhelpful in getting any information or whatever it was they were doing... she still semms to try remain realtively upbeat. Though the stories seem to give her some pause, and a bit of forwning from the typically upbeat woman. Once they reach their destination, Shae moves to the disembark the ship. Though she pauses, brow furrowing sightly as she hisses just a little. Amber eyes quickly moving as she startst to look around them, as if trying to find something. "Gaston.." Hand moving to her stomach, as she looks worried.

Gaston checked perception + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 0 higher.

Kael checked perception + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 2 lower.

Monique checked perception + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 26 lower.

Nicia has rolled a critical success!
Nicia checked mana + occult at difficulty 30, rolling 66 higher.

Cristoph checked mana + occult at difficulty 30, rolling 15 lower.

Alis checked perception + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 17 lower.

There are greetings cast to and fro. "My lord," says Kael to Cristoph, before inclining his head humbly toward Alis. "Your Highness." To Gaston and Shae, he offers forth, "My lord and my lady," though it should be noted that his eyes sparkle in good humor at his address of Shae in such a fashion. It's humor that fades swiftly from his wife's reaction, however, and he is drawing her in closer. "Shhhh," he offers forth, keeping his arms protective about her and murmuring a few words in her ear.

Shae's discomfort is like a beacon to the dragon keeping an eye on its hoarde, and Alis turns her head sharply to look at the lady of sunshine, concerned. And then at Gaston, questioningly. What do they need to kill?

Cristoph hears the term 'Honey Duke' and begins to laugh quietly to himself over there, it's a low chuckle and he doesn't sound upset. A smile is tossed over his shoudler before he hears Nicia voice and waits for her to get on deck. He'll offer her a hand up, his attention shifting briefly to Lady Monique with intense interest. "/Do/ you? I would be very interested in finding out who that was. Let me know if you find anything?" Whatever is going on, he clearly has /no/ idea. Blissfully unaware!

Corban sees nothing, hears nothing, and pretty much goes about his business, settling on the rowboat next to Monique and settling in, letting out a puff of air. "Chivalry and manners is all the more important in the face of peril. It is what makes us Oathlanders," he says to Monique.

Reigna returns the murmur to her husband, though she has not missed Shae's reaction as well. A look is cast to her cousin-by-marriage, a searching, worried thing even as she speaks in low tones to Kael.

Nicia accepts the hand when it is offered, climbing up onto the deck with a smile, "I heard the most fantastical story." She informs Cristoph, but then that smile slips a little, shaking her head a fraction, "Remind me, though, to tell you later. I don't think now is a good time to share...you said we were leaving?"

Monique is too busy rolling her eyes at Corban's nobility, despite her smile, but she spares him a sarcastic quip in favor of nodding to Cristoph. "I'll keep you in the loop if I find something out."

Whatever it is that Reigna told Kael, it is enough for him to start to frown, to look up and around the area in brief before turning back to his wife and moving his hand protectively over her abdomen. A few words more are offered forth to her, lowly.

"Yes, we're getting down into the smaller boats and then moving to shore." Cristoph explains to her, looping an arm around her as they head to disembark. When the smile slips, he looks curious but doesn't seem to catch onto much of anything else. "Thank you very much, Lady Monique. I appreciate it."

In a quartet of longships, the group and several scouts and warriors from the Eventide Flotilla tasked with their aid are ferried to shore. Water sloshes and churns about the many pairs of legs dismounting into the shallows and offloading small crates of equipment, medicines, and various supplies pooled to be given to be given to the village.

"The Island of Vigilance, they nicknamed this place," a prodigal translator chimes aside to Cristoph and Alis, swinging her leather-bound legs over the side of the longboat to hop down into the waters. "There is a town just north of here, up that cliffside where we will be meeting with one of the council of the townspeople. They're supposed to be better informing us of the situation with the Malardin, my lord. Your Highness."


The path she gestures winds its way gently along the side of the steep cliffs, well-preserved and reinforced to allow easy passage to the crest where a stunning view of the open waters of the sea stretching endlessly into the horizon. From there, it is through patches of thinned forest and into a clearing where the town itself lies. Last told to be of a growing population of two thousand bodies loyal to the countship.

Reigna gets a rather fierce expression on her face, defiant almost as she looks back at her husband. While her voice remains low, there is a shake of her head and while she says her peace, after, she is attempting to follow along with the rest of the party.

Corban offers again his arm to Monique as he clamors out of the longboat that took them ashore, taking her hand to get her up and over the side and then onto dry land. "Well, with luck, it should be a good meeting and we can get back to Arx before it gets too long on." Of course, how is it that these things over go that way?

No attempt necessary. Kael and Reign are both moving along with the party, catching up to them though he remains hovering protectively close to his wife and keeping an eye on her as though to check on her status. Eventually however that will ease and he will listen to the goings on, the words offered to Cristoph and Alis.

Alis follows the translator's directions with her gaze, looking to the north and then up at the cliffside before she nods. "What is the name of the town?" she asks, managing to keep her voice neutral even at the mention of the Malardin. The buckles and straps of the harnesses that hold her weapons are checked, and then she steps out of the boat.

Shae frowns a bit as she scans the island, lips pursed now. No more smiles. Though at the glance from Reigna Shae gives a little shake of her head to her cousin in law. An almost grim look there. "Alis, there is... you remember when I told you about what I felt right before the tragedy in the harbor?" She glances off again, eyes narrowing as if trying to find something. "It's happening again."

"Mm, shore. Yes." Nicia agrees, following Cristoph's lead towards the smaller boats, and the shore beyond. She's quiet for just a little while before she murmurs, "You don't think that they really are sacrificing babies, do you?" Not that she mentioned what the stories she heard were about, so this might lack a frame of reference to anyone not in her head.

Cristoph is quiet during the boat ride to shore, showing respect to the translater as he tips them off on some interesting local news. "Should be a good time." He murmurs quietly to Alis before squeezing Nicia's fingers. When she murmurs those words to him, his blue eyes go wide and he turns to look at her with lifted eyebrows. "/What?/"

"...There's no birds or insects up there," Gaston mutters, the large man's gaze scanning the cliffs. "At least beyond the foliage. It's... Unnatural. Too damned quiet."

Monique gives Corban her hand, climbing up and over with the creak of leathers, her sword jutting up cruciform over her head, strapped as it is to her back. "Well, if it's a rough ride, at least I know you give a wicked bruising," she teases Corban lightly, looking around. "Quiet. But beautiful."

"Well, alright then. Everyone stay alert. Keep your weapons sheathed but easily available." Alis calls back... and ahead, if necessary. Her wry smirk back at Cristoph probably echoes his own sentiment as well before she hears baby sacrifice. "Nope. Nope, nope, nope. Not liking this at all. Who wants to scout ahead?"

"The story this sailor was telling me, was that babies were being stolen for rituals..." Nicia replies, then she shakes her head faintly, "I don't know how true that is, but there is something very wrong here..very, very wrong."

"They did last time, my lady." Reigna's voice is wooden as she speaks to Nicia, "Babies, children. It was..." Reigna was already looking a little pale. Now she's looking a little green. When Shae speaks, Reigna's black eyes linger there. "It ... we may be too late." Why would she say that? Who knows.

"/What?/" Cristoph repeats this time to Reigna with a glance to Kael and a lifted eyebrow. One that includes a rather weighty look at the man and then at his wife, the one with child. Especially as the conversations on squicky kid stuff continues. He looks uncomfortable and leans towards Alis, saying something quietly in her ear.

Gaston doesn't answer Alis verbally. He just stalks ahead, already taking point to get a closer eye on things in advance of the rest of the party.

Kael's jaw is setting and when the question is posed regarding who is going to scout ahead? Well, his eyes are drawn toward Shae and Gaston both, a single brow quirking as he regards them.

"It is simply known as the Point of Vigilance," the young translator reports when asked for the name of the town. "After the lighthouse that rises high over the cliffside that once guided ships home to the island. I'm told it hasn't gotten much use as of late in the intelligence reports we received some weeks ago."

It isn't long before they reach the outskirts of the town, where a protective fence of massive logs pounded into the rocky earth looms with gates left slightly ajar. No bodies man its numerous posts above, which isn't entirely unusual in itself.



Corban does not volunteer for the scouting role, being the clanky metal soldier that he is with apparently no perception. But when Gaston advances, the Telmar just nods. He keeps his new diamond plate sword near on his side, casting a look to Monique next to him.

Shae had some idea why Reigna would say that. And the look on her face just grows grimmer now. A nod, soft and just to Reigna as she meets her gaze. "It's true, what Rei says, it... it was awful. I'll assist Gaston." Shae says, moving ahead of the party, and staying behind Gaston, her bow at the ready in her hand as she heads forward with her dog following her.

Scout ahead? Very firmly not it. Nicia makes no move to volunteer for this. Instead she simply lifts one shoulder to Cristoph, "Blood, the primum is what would be harvested for uh...whatever they may be getting up to?" She offers, trying to come up with some better explaination as to what might be going on. She glances over at Reigna, frowning a bit at her then she glances back at Alis, then back, "Last time?"

Alis mururs something to Cristoph, and then turns a concerned look to Reigna and Kael. "You stay in the middle of us. Not the back, or the front, Countess. The middle." she cautions. A grim nod is given to Shae and Gaston as they scout, and she takes a quick inhaled breath. "I wasn't here last time, so could someone fill us in?"

Shae checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 4 lower.

"I... would have thought your sister would have told you about it, my lord, or I would have... tried to speak of it." Reigna's voice is thin, breathy and she pauses, to lean into Kael as if seeking strength there. Still, she is solidering on. "The Children of Malar extort those they encounter into joining them by taking their children. The children are then held hostage until the adults submit. If they do not... the children are sacrificed to Malar in... gruesome fashion." There is that sheen of green again from the Countess. She looks to Alis and nods, "Yes, Highness." She moves to the center of the cluster, reluctantly releasing Kael's hand.

"Most likely weaving or casting," Monique interjects on the heels of Nicia's words, "if they're using primum. Beseeching," she glances around, "doesn't seem likely." She sticks very close to the human shield that is Corban.

Kael is not oblivious to that pointed look that was cast toward him. It has him set his jaw and he turns his attention back toward Reigna, regarding her in a level sort of way. There comes forth a flex of that muscle in his cheek before he is murmuring a few words more in her ear. Her hand is released and he falls back, his hand resting near his blade in a most, ah, casual manner.

"You can certainly stand together, and even holds hands you two." Alis drawls. "Geez. I'm not a monster. Just do it in the middle of all of us instead of the fringes."

Nicia slants a look towards Monique, "Beseeching would use primum, still, but I figure that it would turn more inwards, such as how the Adept channels it." She then nods, though, "I imagine though that casting is the...goal of sorts, if they are using rituals. Maybe weaving." She lifts a hand, idly chewing at her nails as she mulls it over, "It'd be helpful to know what the fashion was, or the result from it.."

"No..." Cristoph begins to drawl and casts an uncomfortable look towards Nicia before replying to Reigna. "No, Jael didn't mention anything like this to me. How exciting." That last is entirely sarcasm and he looks uncomfortable about the news of how silent the island is. And when there doesn't seem to be anyone around? Well. He watches as Shae and Gaston go on ahead, his hand going to the hilt of his sword. There's a look cast between Monique and his wife but he doesn't comment.

"Beseeching uses primum, yes," Monique replies, "but it's used to break writs. From the shivers everyone seems to have, I doubt that's the purpose of whatever's being used. So I think we can safely rule out beseeching."

"He likely will be better served with two free hands, your Highness. I am alright. I promise." The smile offered is a touch grim, but Reigna is resolute. She listens to Nicia curiously, but it is clear she isn't following the conversation between the Duchess and the Greenmarcher. There is then an apologetic looks cast to Cristoph, "I will be more vigilant in my reporting, my lord. From now on."

Kael's nod toward Alis is a curt thing, though the Keaton Count remains silent and in line precisely where he is. Though things have certainly chilled between the pair of them, he is nonetheless keeping an careful eye on her.

Corban checked wits + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 6 lower.

Kael checked wits + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 23 lower.

Gaston checked wits + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 6 higher.

Nicia checked wits + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 6 lower.

Cristoph checked wits + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 6 lower.

Alis checked wits + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 5 higher.

Reigna checked wits + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 8 higher.

As Shae heads off to assist Gaston, there is a sudden gasp as she grabs at her leg, looking like she might fall over down to the ground. Crumpling up a little bit, face screwed up in severe pain. "..fuck.." She breathes out. Hissing as she forces herself to try and stand, even in pain.

"Beseeching does more than that, but that is one thing that it...seems to do." Nicia replies, waving a hand, "It is any plead, really." She glances at Cristoph, finally noting his less than comfortable look, her expression turning apologetic as well. "I'm sorry.." She murmurs quietly, folding her hands in front of her, fully prepared it seems to keep her musing to herself for the time being.

Monique checked wits + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 8 lower.

Corban takes a deep breath as the back-and-forth continues about the various forms of magic that he still does not quite understand. Still, his eye dart this way and that, trying to keep alert, his hand on his sword in case of trouble.

Cristoph doesn't seem to notice anything more amiss than what's readily available, however he does notice as his wife folds her hands into her lap and he leans in to say something quietly to her.

"Do we see any blood smeared on black stone?" Monique asks, quirking a brow. She doesn't *quite* smile, but there's the wry hint of something there with her words. "Because that would be one way to tell."

Alis doesn't seem to be bothered by the discussion; keeping half an ear on it. Her attention is for the two scouts, and she gestures Sir Rhys to come forward with her to help Shae.

As Shae goes down, Gaston turns, crouching low, his massive glaive raised somewhat defensively. "Shae!" he shouts, moving back towards the woman cautiously, eyes and ears alert for whatever danger might be in the area.

The subtle ringing of metal as swords are drawn from the sheathes of the prodigal guards sounds through the air. They lurch forward toward Kael and Corban, a broad shoulder and slice of a sword disbalancing the plated frame of the Telmar Voice. Count Keaton comes under knife point, a scarred arm of the wiry-bodied prodigal behind him attempting to arrest the man back from Reigna.

The translator gives a startled shout, only to be shoved aside as Valardin-sworn knights drawn their own weapons with a cry of their own. Confusion reigns. The seven prodigals who'd sailed with them the most ill-at-ease of them all; four faces registering shock and uncertainty, while the two who attacked Kael and Corban hold expressions of malice, the third one of grim determination as she lunges for Reigna.

Reigna sees Shae's fall and she leans forward, clearly seeking to go to Shae, but, well. She was told to stay in the center, so she tries. But then chaos errupts and she finds herself lunged at, sees her husband drawn on. "Betrayed! We are betrayed!" Reigna dodges with a deceptive agility, just evading the reach of the Prodrigal woman reaching for her.

"What is the meaning of this?" The slide of steel weapons prompts the princess to spin on her heel. "All of you who came with us, stay back.. distance yourselves." Them being the seven prodigals who who had sailed with him. Alis is also not going to hesitate to counter-attack the people who just lunged for members of the traveling party.

Cristoph is rightfully alarmed by the betrayal that comes from within their midst. When the cry goes out it's not quite clear /what's/ happening, however, he's quick to position his body over Nicia's and pull his sword from the sheath. In that moment he's able to catch as Corban and Kael are temporarily knocked back. "Stand down or we will cut you down." He growls.

As Gaston nears Shae, and thus the gate, he looks out at the shouts from the others and sees the confusion. A snarl growing on his face, even as he reaches a hand down to lift Shae bodily up and into cover, grim eyes set on the Prodigals.

This is what Kael gets for appearing pissy -- or at least grim at his wife, while also making certain all is well. He is under the point of the blade, thusly, and his jaw sets in a stubborn fashion even as his head tilts in a manner that is arrogant. An odd trait for the Keaton Count, but nonetheless done. He shifts one shoulder back, up, and starts to move back against his assailant as though compliant. He is definitely calculating something though, especially as he watches another assailant go for his wife -- who luckily is able to dodge!

"Wha..." Nicia starts when things start going from eerie and creepy to violent within moments, her eyes widening in startlement before she reaches for the dagger at her side. She is decidedly not built for this, but she'll be damned if she's not going to stab anyone that comes near her that she doesn't know and trust.

Corban curses to himself as he is thrown off balance like that, unable to get between the shav'arani that rushed him and Reigna. It is clearly to his disappointment as a knight, but he tries to regroup, drawing his sword when he is able to regain his balance, joining those looking for an opening.

Shae shakes her head at Gaston, "It's... that," She points back towards the group as the chaos errupts within it. "Go help," She waves the Blackram off, less worried for herself and more about her family and friends. But really who argues with a giant that is lifting you up. "Gaston, go help. Please, Kael and Reigna, and the baby." Pushing at him as he is holding her.

It is with obedience that the five prodigals - two women including the frightened translator, and three men - distance themselves from their traitorous counterparts. Tense shouts of Shav'Arvani are traded like arrow shots between the parties, but it doesn't take long for Corban and Monique to catch upon the Oathlands islander dialect in which they speak; accusations of betrayal and confusion, the three men ousted as moles of the Water Serpents tribe known to have fallen under the lure of the Malardin not long ago.


The translator tries to convey as much to Alis, tears welling in her green eyes as they shift from the Dragon princess to the men. While Kael attempts to glean a way out of his predicament, it becomes increasingly apparent that the prodigal holding him at knife point is volatile, enraged. Blood-mad.

The woman that lunged for Reigna gives chase after the pregnant woman, only to draw herself back warily as she stares at the others.

"We will protect you. Those who do not attack us, will not be harmed." Alis promises, directing some of the Valardin sworn knights to stay near the group that traveled with them and protect them if necessary. "Try to capture one of these assholes alive, if we can. /If/ it is not too dangerous." But since it is three against several of them... she glances over her shoulder at Shae and Gaston. "Are there any other surprises waiting for us? Shae? Are you alright now?" As she speaks, the leather clad princess starts trying to walk her way around to be able to attack from behind.

Alis checked command + intimidation at difficulty 25, rolling 4 higher.

From where Cristoph stands, he raises his voice. It's loud, but without the usual gregariousness that he often displays. It's strong and firm, a commanding quality underneath it. But also reason, "Whatever angers you here, it won't be solved by holding that man. Release him to us and we can talk about this. We can figure something out. If you harm him, I promise that only more blood will be shed. And at least some of it will be yours."

Cristoph has rolled a critical success!
Cristoph checked command + diplomacy at difficulty 25, rolling 75 higher.

Corban keeps in the tight circle around the traitor shav'arani, his sword at the ready. He doesn't try to defuse the situation, but he does provide some background for those that are. His Oathlands dialect is still new, but he can get the basics. "Their tribe, of the Water Serpents, was slain by the Malardin. These seven were some of the few to escape. I --" And now he is really working to synthesize the shouts. "Four truly do serve the Compact. These three want revenge. Something about -- two thousand people on the island being attacked?" He's less clear there.

"One wrong move, and I will ..." Nope, Alis ain't even gonna continue with the bad cop of the good cop and bad cop routine. Daaaaamn, listen to Duke Honey go! "Wait, two thousand people on the Island being attacked? When? By what?"

"Also stay away from that pregnant woman or so fucking help me." That was Cris.

Nicia's well behaved, she's staying put. Although, she can't help but try and peer around Cristoph at what else is going on, until her husband starts talking, and all thoughts of trying to help are forgotten as she looks up at him with a sort of look of very fond awe. Sigh. But then she blinks, "Two thousand?"

Seeing the others have it in Gaston, ignores Shae's pushing even as the snarl remains on his face. His deep voice rumbles as he shares what he found inside. "No one alive that I've seen so far. It smells of blood, and it's all over the damn doors. Signs of people being dragged from their homes, if you can read the trail. They've already hit this place, I'm afraid," to Alis. "They're might be more in waiting, but if so, I've not yet seen them."

Kael is definitely considering something, weighing his options, shifting his stance. The muscles in his hand twitch -- and then there is Cris. His hero! Kael stands at the ready, but stills, waiting.

Katarina GM Roll checked willpower(1) + diplomacy(2) at difficulty 25, rolling 16 lower.

Katarina GM Roll checked willpower(2) + diplomacy(1) at difficulty 25, rolling 10 higher.

Katarina GM Roll checked willpower(3) + diplomacy(1) at difficulty 25, rolling 4 higher.

There is a lock of Reigna's eyes on the man holding her husband. The look never wavers, though as Cris starts to speak, that thrum of command, that thread of diplomatic allure almost pulls her gaze towards him, her body edging that way as if seeking shelter in his tone, even as she stares at the man holding her husband. She doesn't say a word, but the plea in her eyes is intense. The Countess is clearly getting emotional, she's trying to hold it together, though her fear is very real.

Share grumbles a littel at Gaston not leaving her. At Alis' question she nods, "Yes, I'm better now." Amber eyes watching what is playing out among her friends and the Abandon that have seemed to have turned on them. "Should we go further inside and see if we can pick up their trails?"

Wild rage simmers into a mourning despair in Kefka, the Abandoned lad holding the Keaton Count hostage, balks under the weight of Cristoph's words. Murky brown eyes dart left and right; eyeing Alis as she shifts, the serrated blade of his dagger digging hard into Kael's skin. A scruffed jaw set rigid in uncertainty. "I-I ... having little choice... My sisters, they have..." He attempts to convey toward Reigna in broken Arvani, his eyes lowering to her heavily pregnant belly with a grimace pulling at wan features. He's faltering, trembling fingers loosening just-so on their hold of the knife if Kael dares now to break free.

Tetani, who was lunging for Reigna, and Pyveki are not so easily swayed as Kefka, but are made to halt - to reconsider. Precious moments earne in the favor of the Oathlanders here, but at what cost in the town?

There is no fancy maneuvering from the Keaton Count once he sees his opening. He is swift, proving at least that his large frame can move with an acceptable amount of grace. If the punishment is a nick to his dark skin for not paying attention earlier? So be it. Kael breaks free, whirling about so that he faces the other man, even as he draws back to his allies.

Once Kael is free, "Step back. I don't know what's going on up there, but we're better use /helping/ you than /fighting/ you. We have people who can better understand your language, /tell/ them what's happening." Cristoph gestures in as non-threatening a manner as possible to Monique and Corban, his eyes remaining locked on the weapons of the people armed against them. "Allow us to go and help you. Fight /with/ us. Get your revenge being aligning yourselves with us." His tone remains the same, even but firm.

Gaston gives a quick nod of his head towards Shae, and then "Stay back enough from the buildings themselves... Just in case there are any waiting, yes?" And then the Blackram heads into the town once more to get a closer look, trusting the others to deal with the situation at hand.

Reigna sways in place, her eyes closing, her breath coming harder. "There is no time! We are wasting time fighting one another. The danger is in the village -- people are *dying*. Work with us and we will stop the death -- you are not abandoned! We are here to *help*. Please. Please let us work together." Her words echo Kael's and there is an edge of desperation in her voice, a plea as real as the panic and despair around her.

Perhaps that is a dawning horror in Alis expression. "Shae, Gaston, .. thank you!" as they are already moving. Whoever is closest to her can probably hear a few very oathlandesque swear words mixed with several that she probably shouldn't even know about. "They have the fucking kids. Next time ask for /help/, it's faster." The impatience of youth shows there. "Are you going to let us move, or are we going to waste more time fighting each other?" It's like a chorus line here!

Corban is, indeed, something of a translator here, though his fluency is far more recent than Lady Monique's. "Yes," says the Telmar Lord in the fellow's own Oathlander shav language. "If you need to talk in your own tongue, we can. But we need to get to the Town. And we need to do it sooner."

Shae, takes a moment to rub at her knee, nodding to the Blackram as she does, hand readjusting her grip on her bow once she stands up. Looking back over her shoulder at Alis, before she follows Gaston into the village to look for more signs. "Yes, I'll be sure to stay back from them." She says as they enter then village and she starts glancing around the place.

With Kael escaped from his grasp, Kefka instinctively backpedals from the Count as the two men briefly lock eyes. A look of desperation is flung toward Tetani who stands to his left. "What do we do," he hoarsely asks of her in his native tongue.

"We cannot kill them, now. We won't win," Tetani realizes wanly, looking between the Oathlands nobility and four prodigals armed against them. Reluctantly, she and Pyveki lower their swords in show of surrender.



Nicia checked perception + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

"Okay, so we're going to go now. You can come with us and help or I don't know, stay here." Cristoph looks to Alis with a shrug of his shoulders. Like they really don't have time for this right now.

Alis gives the knights with them a few simple instructions, under her breath of course. Which is to kill anyone who turns on the group again. No second chances; they don't have time for that if they're going to rescue the children. "Let's go." She agrees with Cristoph, giving him a firm nod and gesturing for him to lead the way if he so chooses; her flail loosed from its sheathe so that she can crush some enemy (hopefully Malardin) skulls when they get there.

Nicia's eyes flick back and forth between the three, listening to what they are saying, watching how they react to things before she clears her throat, leaning in to murmur something quietly to Cristoh.

Corban seems satisfied that the hostage situation has been resolved, and so marches with the Princess General, giving a look to Monique next to him as they set out.

A curt nod is offered toward Elis when she calls that they should go and Kael is moving in line. Go figure, the young man is actually keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings now, or trying.

"Hopefully they can keep themselves under control then." Cristoph murmurs outloud back to Nicia, casting a look in the direction of the three individuals. Something is relayed to Alis before he sucks in a breath and gestures for his wife to stay with the group, though he remains close to her even if he is in the front. And thus they'll head on up to go do some things.

Monique sticks alongside Corban, murmuring something low to him, her hand on her sword now.

With Kael free, Reigna is moving towards him. Wordlessly, she slips a hand on his arm, a light touch, easily shaken off. Still, she is distracted, her head half-tilted as if listening to something in the wind.

Beyond the gates of the town, it is as Gaston earlier described as the group traverses through the outskirts along the main paith winding into the center. Open doorways and windows offer curious eyes a glimpse into the disarray of furniture broken and strewn across cottage floors, the body of a man -- if one can call it that after such savagery and defilement - left in a heap outside is home.


More and more corpses are found in similar states, dragged forcibly from their homes and into the dirt-packed streets. A broken cart of vegetables freshly brought in from the fields lays turned on its side, a young woman laying upon her side staring unseeingly toward the skies with a bloodied bundle of blankets some odd feet away.

Not every structure is the sight of such violence, however. The town hall, an austere two story building standing proudly in the town center, shines like a beacon of hope - or an obvious trap. Depends on one's outlook.

Alis checked perception + war at difficulty 25, rolling 21 higher.

Reigna checked perception + investigation at difficulty 25, rolling 29 higher.

Alis will take traps for a thousand, Alex. She stops, and just stares at the pristine town hall. "Gee, that isn't suspicious at all." she quips, squinting as she looks the building up and down. "Shae, Gaston... have you seen behind the building yet? Anything stand out aside from the fact that it's.. that?"

"Not yet, no," Gaston murmurs to Alis. "Hold here a moment, and I'll see what I can find..." making a wide circuit around the building to see, but not getting too close just yet.

Nicia checked perception + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 17 higher.

"Looks like they may have fortified from the inside." Alis asides to Cristoph and the others. "Can't see much through the windows, and there's just... nothing on the outside." Eyeballing the streets, her lips purse. "And there are more dead townspeople then then Abandoned on the streets out here. I think we have to approach this as if it's the Malardin inside, barricading themselves in, and trying to perform a ritual." She looks to everyone else, as if to consult with a raised eyebrow. What their impressions are, as they wait for Gaston to report back.

Gaston checked perception + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 23 higher.

Monique checked perception + investigation at difficulty 25, rolling 3 higher.

"Hopefully." Nicia agrees with Cristoph, falling in to step with everyone else as they proceed towards the village, her eyes shifting left and right as they pass through the gates. Once inside she frowns, and takes a bit of a step further away from Cristoph, her attention focusing on the gruesome evidence with a curious expression.

"I could lead some of the knights to the front entrance." Cristoph offers to Alis, however there are better eyes and ears to give them a sense of this situation. And he'll wait for their input before he goes charging inside of the townhall. His chin lifts and he watches Nicia carefully as she wanders away, but doesn't say anything.

"Oh... oh gods!" Reigna, whose head has been tilted slightly, rushes forward suddenly, as fast as she can, considering. She moves to that bloodied bundle of cloth and squats into a crouch, unladylike in her haste and condition. The bundle is plucked up with absolute care, a sense of dread visible on the young countess' face as she so delicately begins to unwrap the bundle.

Did Kael just curse? He very well may have, or at least whatever he just murmured under his breath was very un-Oathlands'-like. His eyes are pulled away from the building, which he had been eyeing, to firmly lock on his wife. He moves with swift haste after her, and as soon as he sees what she is doing his look grows even more grim and dire.

Nicia's not running off too far, nor throwing herself headlong into danger. That she seems to be aware of, at least. Mostly it's just looking at things, and somehow managing to not have a panic attack due to the situation. After a moment she drifts back towards Cristoph, coming to a stop next to him as she lets her attention drift towards Reigna, murmuring, "I do not...think that she is going to b...I mean, I can't say for certain, but I imagine that the number of survivors of any age is probably very, very small."

Shae gives a small shake of her head to Alis, "No, not yet," Her eyes moving towards Gaston at his answer to Alise and then she heads after him. Moving to circle around the building from the opposite angle.

Shae checked perception + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 25 higher.

"Reigna?" Alis' voice is gentle, as she tries to prompt an explanation of the Countess. A glance given to Kael too, as she looks between the two adults and the wrapped bundle. Wary, most definitely, of what they have found.

"I'm all for sneaking in there," Monique murmurs, gesturing with her chin to the pristine building in the center of town. "Rather than swords drawn, battlecries on our lips."

Whether it is the townspeople or the Malardin tribespeople enclosed inside the buidling isn't easy to tell; it is, however, slowly apparent that the sheer scale of casualties don't add up to the numbers of neighboring Shav'Arvani tribes could reasonably buck up in force against such a fortified town.

    The bloodied blankets are drawn back to reveal the soft features of a young babe barely clinging to life, her anguished wail soon piercing the air as she's roused once more. Frightened, starved, and dehydrated.

In the upper levels of the building, a window is flung open with urgency to reveal the faces of two young women - townspeople, from the manner of their garb -, a redhead and blonde respectively. "Reinforcements!" one shouts over a shoulder. "There are reinforcements at last!"

It isn't long before there is a flurry of voices from within, several more bodies pressing in against the window frame to peer out at the group below, their relief palpable.

Cristoph stares up at the people shouting down at them, he looks skeptical. A glance is thrown towards Alis and then to cringes at the wailing of the hungry, miserably unhappy child. There's a grimace on his face while the damage is surveyed and he still seems tense. Could still be a trap!

The sounds made by the baby tug at Reigna, the expectant mother holding the tiny baby close, "Stay with us little one, is that your mother?" She glances to the corpse of the young woman, pained empathy, but her body language speaks to having no intention of leaving the little one behind. "We should get to the Hall, join the others?" She looks to Alis and then Cristoph, seeking their intentions.

Monique checked wits + manipulation at difficulty 20, rolling 33 higher.

"Oh shit. The baby is still alive." Alis breathes, her attention then caught by the cry of reinforcements. She, too, is skeptical of how it all appears though. So she looks over at Monique with a shuttered exzpression before she nods once. "See if you're able to catch sight of anything, try the windows. We'll try and keep them distracted. Don't go in entirely though if you can help it. This stinks of a trap." A sigh escapes, as she exchanges a glance with Cristoph. And then, she answers them back. "That's right. Reinforcements. Where did the enemy fighters go? How many of them are you? what's on the first floor?"

When the baby is spied, living despite the poor condition that it is in, Kael is exhaling relief. He looks across his wife's features in brief, takes note of the child again, before his mouth returns to that grim line. Less so than before, but still. He stands where he is, on guard, though his attention flickers from one person to the next.

Nicia murmurs quietly, "I don't think going into a closed building where people are possibly trapped is really helpful..." Not that she knows anything about war, but somehow locking herself in a building without a way out just screams no to her.

"She's telling the truth," Monique says, authoritatively. "She's terrified. They need help." And she starts forward, sword drawn... just in case.

"You are likely right, my lady." Reigna nods to Nicia, "We could try to evacuate them to the ships?" Reigna's focus is still split, and she holds the baby with tender care. Her lips move as if speaking under her breath. Praying? Probably not a bad idea, given the givens.

Cristoph watches Reigna with the baby and glances to Kael. There's a flicker of something on his expression but he carefully schools it away. Instead he'll nod at Nicia's assessment. "Basically, yes. We're not going inside there." Maybe he means everyone, maybe he means just the two of them. Hard to tell! When Monique begins to move forward, he steps up and calls to the person in the window. "We're not coming in. However you all, you can come down here."

"Of course they need help. But walking in to that first floor with no idea of what's in there would be foolish." Alis is staying right where she is, obviously in agreement with Cristoph. "If you can't go down through the first floor, start tying bedsheets together. We'll make sure you get down safely." she offers. "Children first. There's an infant here; is she a child of one of you?" Still providing a distraction.

Nicia glances at Monique, a brow flicking upwards before she shakes her head, glancing then at Cristoph with a nod. She then begins to move towards Reigna, "Countess?" She tries to get her attention, "Perhaps you can come stand with me? Just in case..."

Shae and Gaston continue to circle around the building checking it out.

A hush falls over the small group of survivors, only three or four counted at the window. The young blonde who shouted with such palpable relief is forced back from the window, scolded fiercely for her recklessness.

In her place comes a world-weary woman with greying hair drawn from her wary face, armed with a longbow notched with an arrow. "How do we know this is not more trickery," she shouts down, looking from face to face. Her features soften when she realizes, too, that Reigna has uncovered a baby. "Give us a sign of proof that you are not our enemy, please..."

Shae and Gaston's trek around the building reveals a window not fully boarded up leading inside. It doesn't take much to glean that no noise comes from within, the air heavy with the scent of spilt blood and death.

    The situation within the town is dire. It was a bloody coup, a betrayal of one brother of the elected leader who'd negotiated with the Malardin, swore his loyalty to a demon summoned by such dark rites in exchange for power and residing over the townspeople. Except it didn't really go to plan. Eight hundred citizens dead, countless more missing and presumably dead at the hands of Malardin ritualists deep in the forests, but 1,001 alive. (That toddler made the 1.) They have survived, but will need much, much, much more intervention to get rid of the Malardin before they come back to finish the job.

Sir Rhys, a Valardin Knight have been dismissed.