Silvanost - An Unexpected Offer

04 - 07 Newkolt 349 AC

Kysek finding it odd that a bee would be buzzing about in the cold; thinks about the not so distant past and the ring of scorched bees where Ornforithalas and his wife should have been. “Could it be?”, he says aloud yet softly. Knowing his wife had at least some magical prowess, he holds out his right hand to the buzzing insect. “Ornforithalas?”

A voice answers from somewhere behind Kysek. "Oh, sae claise. Tis a'maist lik' yin o' ye haes a brain."

Kysek turns to look for where the voice is coming from. Not 100% sure what the voice was saying he replies, “Of course I have a brain.” The elf strains to piece together the rest of the statement as he searches for the source of the voice. Knowing Bubo's hearing will be much better than his own; he mentally tells his familiar to listen closely as well.

As he turns, Kysek sees a black cat with a white patch on its chest. The beast is easily the size of a mastiff with its forelegs wrapped in leather bands and an amulet hanging around its neck. The cat casually licks its front left paw before extending its claws as if examining them for a moment and then speaks, ""Ye kin address me as Laird Hamish."

“Laird Hamish; should I be familiar with you? As you seem to have knowledge of me. I can’t seem to recall hearing your name before; and I’m certain I’d remember a cat of such stature as yourself.” Kysek states rather matters of factly while maintaining a polite demeanor. He adds, “How may we be of service to each other?”

The cat smiles, if that is what the expression on its face can be called, "A'm famous in certain circles, though neane ye wid necessarily be kenspeckle wi'. As fur bein' o' service tae ilk ither, ah happen tae hae knowledge that ye wid fin' interesting...fur a cost."

“A cost? It seems we’ll all pay a significant cost if we don’t prevail here? This includes both you AND I. I’m certain neither of us can prevail against dragons, dragon men, and the armies that support them.  Although; I’m certain my friends and I may hold longer than you on your own. Your information may be crucial to ALL of our survival. Believe me when I tell you; you truly have no choice.  Should you have information on my friend; who is thought dead, you need to enlighten me on that as well!”, Kysek says. His words increasing in urgency as he speaks.

"Mortals. Sae limited in thought. Gey weel, ah wull gie ye yin fur free as a shaw o' guid faith - watch whit ye say aroond th' bees. Thay listen oan behauf o' someone else." Hamish stops and stretches, arching his back, straightening his tail, and spreading all of his toes wide. "Whin yer duin, ca' mah name. Juist ken that th' langer ye hauld yer horses... Let's juist say that yer friends' jailer isnae th' kindest o' hosts."

The cat walks around three times in a circle and vanishes, leaving behind a small ring of black mushrooms.

The black cat's disembodied voice can be heard from the shadows one last time before it fades away into nothingness, "Let yer coal-colored comrade in oan mah offer. 'n', o' coorse, th' Sugar Plum. This hail thing is fur o' him anyway."

"Cormyr's War Wizards trade spells around and make up battle plans. They talk tactics and escape plans before going to visit their respective troops." Shadow works quickly to copy Mass Fly into his spellbook. He rallies the Elves under his banner later that afternoon and explains the need to gather information about where to hit the enemy with their spells and arrows. He explains his plans to cast Mass Fly onto the group and then Mass Bull’s Strength. With Shadow dropping twin summoned giant cyclones to destroy tents, wagon trains, supply caches, and command and control centers. "We avoid Dragons but gather intel on them from a distance, if we can see them, they can see you. We can decide to deal with them later. If attacked by a dragon, we rally, I cast time stop and mass teleport away. My companions and I can fight dragons together not you. You know this land, let’s go make them pay for trying to take it. Dismissed."

Shadow's troops leave the tent, some are nervous, some are eager to get a little revenge on the invading dragons but all are united in purpose.

After allowing the other squad leaders to copy his spell of mass flight, Ra’ziir asks Shadow to return the favor and allow him to copy the spell of mass teleportation.

The Black-Robed Eldritch Knight gathers his scouts and explains that their goal is now to harass the enemy as much as possible in an effort to disrupt supplies and communication. He relays the same basic message as Shadow, repeating the same tactics in essence.

The Elfemental, while addressing the squad, tries to get a sense of them, their demeanor, and any insight into what they are thinking about the situation they find themselves in.

Finding the most veteran of the bunch, Ra’ziir asks their name and then invites them to tell the Bladesinger about their experience as well as that of any of the others the scout may be familiar with.

One of the elves, his hands calloused and wrists corded with muscle steps up. Ra’ziir thinks he looks familiar, possibly one of the scouts Ornforithalas brought on the party's first excursion into the Silvanesti forest. "Falindrithan, sergeant, I was there when that dragonman exploded. Proper mess that was." The Elfemental looks him over, noting that he bears the same medal Councilor Dawnbreeze bestowed upon the party, only cast in copper instead of silver. "Most of us have served in the scouting companies at one time or another. We get some wolves or human bandits traveling through every so often. I have to admit, never seen anything like this before but the Captain trusted you, so we're here for you, ready to fight."

Kysek also copies the Mass Fly spell. His group planning to stay within a canopy of trees for cover and concealment. He then also will memorize the spell for the following day removing dominate person.

Grotto goes to find Agnes. With him keeping such a huge secret when in a war with a dragon led army, he has questions for the metallic dragon. He finds her and Lorraine together talking. "Good that Lorraine is also questioning her " thinks the dwarf.

Grotto approaches Agnes and says in hushed tones, "I made you a promise. If Arthur trusts you then that is good, I trust him with my life. But I don't want his trust in you to be clouded by his feelings for you. In a war with dragons, I am leery that there is one hiding in our midst for so long.  You helped us healers when in need but I need to know more to ease my mind that you are not a conspirator with the enemy. I know that Arthur is pure of heart and would not give it to an amoral traitor. But, I need my mind to be eased as well."

Agnes takes a shaky breath, "After the last Dragonwar, the Dark Queen Takhisis withdrew her children from Kyrnn. To maintain the Balance, my kin retreated to a secluded island and entered into a deep hibernation. While we slept, agents of the Queen found our island and stole our eggs. We were forced to agree to stay out the war, lest our eggs be destroyed."

After hearing Agnes out, he then speaks to Lorraine, "From listening to the others tell of the battle, we had a captive dragon rider. This rider said a prayer holding a holy amulet then died from what I understand. This makes me wonder if there is a way to communicate with the gods. Is there anything in this temple that we be able to investigate? I could heal so many more of the wounded if I could get blessings from Hanseath. Plus, Hanseath is my people's god of war. Just the one to have on our side in these times! If there is some forgotten dark corner in our temple turned hospital that could give us some clues to getting Hanseath's aid, then we must find it! Arthur and I would be overjoyed to again commune with our gods!"

Lorraine shakes her head, "This temple has lain empty for the last 350 years. If there is anything here that can help you, I do not know it."

Arthur stood in the practice yard, Lawbringer cutting heavy arcs through the air before he drove the blade into the dirt. His chest rose and fell with the rhythm of hard work, sweat running down his brow.

Grotto and Cedron both find Arthur at the same time. The Aquilonian priest speaks to the men of faith about the rumor of one of the dragon riders attempting to call forth divine power. “If this is true.” He pauses. “If there is a god who is embracing followers and answering prayers, then maybe other gods can do the same. I’m going to the Tree of Progress to pray. And while I’m gone with Shadow and the squad, I plan on investigating this divine connection rumor. I encourage you both to do the same.” He looked up as Grotto and Cedron approached, listening in silence as each spoke his piece.

The First Paladin of Malazzarr wiped his forearm across his face, then rested a hand on the pommel of his sword. “Aye,” he said at last, voice steady but carrying weight. “If there’s a chance the gods are stirring, we’d be fools not to seek it."

He drew Lawbringer free again, testing its balance, the light glinting across its blade.
With that, Arthur sheath lawbringer and gets a bucket of cold water and dumps it on his head. He than proceeds to put on his shirt and armor.

MEANWHILE AT THE TOWER OF WAYRETH...

Romulus sequesters himself in his workshop and begins work on further augmenting the enchantments of his bracers amd Grotto's armor.

AND ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF KURINOST...

Moving carefully and quietly, Raven reaches the edge of the forest just south of the city. An inkling of a plan has begun to form in his mind - his goal, to rescue the elves being loaded onto the minotaur ship.

A noise to his left drew his attention. A group of five hobgoblins were approaching, one of them mounted on a worg. They were laughing and joking amongst themselves and while Raven was too far away to hear them clearly, he was able to understand the gist of their conversation, the easy sacking of the city. He slowly and silently drew his swords and waited for them to draw closer. These enemies would be his way into the city.

"Ah yes, the old kill some guards and steal their uniforms to sneak into the city trick. It never fails..." Raven took a deep breath and stepped out onto the trail.