Rudolph looked to Visage. "Well that's obvious, whot I wanted ta know, was what that 'special' something is. Man ain't foolish enough to be afear of some rumors and stories, he know what's out there. Or got a damn good guess." Rudolph shrugged. "But in da end, ain't like I can refuse. After all, I'm on loan from tha government. I'm obligated to do whatever smack crazy job is asked of me till pardoned."

Visage smiled. "Well, we all will learn what the special something is soon enough, I'm sure. Our host is gracious, and will likely explain. If not, well...we would find out ourselves, now wouldn't we?"

Rudolph was a droll fellow, he had to admit. This little tidbit, however, Visage decided to remember: the dwarf was a convict. For what, he knew not, though it seemed apparent the fellow wasn't the evil type. Most likely theft or brawling of some kind.

Having her question ignored, or perhaps unheard, Aurea turned her attention to the map, trying to put what she knew on the piece of paper. Highmount...and Glacium Wastes past that. Sounds about right, that is definitely the direction That's coming from. Only...Why was she here. If she woke up next to it - her eyes trailed up and down between Highmount and their current location on the map - How did she end up almost two weeks worth of march past Thornfell... She remembered waking up twice, once on the icebound plains, and then in the middle of the woods. But why...

The woman was clearly confused as she examined the map, frowning, trying to come up with a logic conclusion. She was brought back to reality relatively quickly, reason -once again- being that loud dwarf, and grandiloquent changeling, as well as some other voices.

'Secondly, of course the mayor is hiding something my dear lady. Aren't we all?' She froze for a second, but quickly realized that statement wasn't aimed at her. She took a deep breath, and let it out, even though the stuffiness was definitely not bothering her in the slightest.

"It's a matter of convenience..." Aurea suddenly spoke. "You people were outside, saw the place... They need people here, whatever the untold reason is." She gave the mayor a glance. "So if we're already heading in the direction, it'd be a waste to dispatch additional troops just for that purpose alone, and perhaps risk something, while they can be more useful elsewhere in the meantime. Question being where, and why?" The fact that 'something happened' and that the roads aren't safe anymore after the boom was obvious, and nothing to be surprised about...For Aurea at least, as not only has she witnessed some of it, she was a walking proof of that.

Looking to Lera, the mayor rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Going to Stockholm is straightforward but from there, the castle should be visible from over the hills. It sits atop the highest of them, its hard to miss unless fog rolls in from Highmount's peaks. If that's the case, hope that the sisters lit their tower windows. They usually do anyway. That should guide you to them."

The mayor simply shrugged when he was accused of hiding something. "So says, the woman in a hood indoors, hmm? I do not intend to hide information from you. Instead it is as Visage and the dwarf say, I've seen what the woods keep as animals now. Horrid creatures of fur and claw, standing on two legs such as we do. They took my successor away, you see. Even our best men could only fend them off for so long, luckily we had a bit of silver on hand. Smelted as much as we could into weapons and that did the trick for the most part."

The knight captain snorted. "Lycanthrope? Surely you are mistaken, the moon is neither full or as powerful."

Roderique nodded. "Indeed, it is as odd as you say but here they are. I don't know about you Dreimon but I'd rather trust my goods to those who know the woods. Have you set foot of Grissom soil prior to this, captain?" There was no response for a few seconds until he shook his head.

"Very well," the mayor nodded. "Food is in demand right now and I'd rather not lose it to lycanthrope or some beast in the wilds. I'd prefer your soldiers to stay here in Thornfell to help protect the city when night falls."

When Aurea spoke, Roderique simply smiled weakly. "We've lost good men in the last defense. You're on your way to Highmount either way. A small errand is all I ask."

Visage raised an eyebrow slowly. "Lycanthropes...interesting. Could be worse, I suppose...although I wouldn't precisely call them 'animals' so to speak."

Though he had never had to fight them personally, he had heard about them before as a relatively well known time of corruption, at least among Druids. In those cases it happened when a druid had taken their transformation attempts and natural connections a bit too far, overgiving of their magic and permanently twisting themselves. Those were rare, however...these...these were clearly of a different nature if there were enough to pose that much of a threat.

He grinned and flexed his hands, loosening his shoulders. "This sounds like it will be much fun..."

"That is what I tried to say. It'd be pointless to send your much needed men, if it's on our way already. We'll deliver the package." Aurea shrugged, and once more crossed her arms, metal clanking on metal. It was bold for her to speak for the group, but if they won't do it, she will. "So...Lycanthropes?" The way she asked haven't quite specified whether she had no idea what they were talking about, or just asked for further details.

"Ya know lassie, from tha stories yer ma and pa told ye at night. Make sure you didn't stop outta line or do things ya shouldn't. The Lycanthrope that're waiting in the woods, with claws that catch and teeth that bite, always hungry for succulent lil young uns. Monsters that rise on the full moon with a howl. Big beasties that are an unholy spawn of wolf and man. Hates silver and Wolfsbane. Well they ain't just stories, nosties like them and worse exist. Would think a knight would know that much. But perhaps peace has addled yer mind." He tapped his head and chuckled. "Ye was trained to kill these things, so hope yer blood doesn't run cold when you see em." He tapped the woman's armor. "Though speaking of knight, what age ye from? This gear is ancient, an antique in its bulkiness and design. This a family eirloom or somethin?"

Lera looked at the blade on her side. Wood. If the mission was hunting, then her usual strategy of hit 'n' run would be unsuitable.

"Sir Dwarf, Rudolph," she called out to the boisterous stump, requiring his expertise, "Should you plan to craft silver weapons, can you forge a blade for me? I am rather ill-equipped at the moment."

Mari allowed the conversation to flow, until she was regarded to for hiding her face. And although it was fair in response to her questioning, she took it the wrong way. Her hand slid off the sword's hilt as she pushed herself off the wall and walked forward. She didn't halt her advance until she was a couple of steps away from the mayor. She stared into his eyes imposingly, not concerned about the fact that he could see the glow in her eyes.

"You knew what you were getting when you contacted me. So the dime better be good." she calmly stated before walking past the mayor and towards the front doors.

"Oh...right..." It worked.

As soon as Rudolph began his lengthy explanation, as if he tried to scare a child, Aurea remembered "I know what these are, that's....that's not what I asked about...Who do you take me for?" For once it was probably a good thing the woman wasn't capable of blushing, and instead could've given the dwarf a cold look. She grimaced a bit and moved around her shoulders, as her gaze lowered down to look at Rudolph. When he tapped on her armor, she covered herself better with the cloak, resisting the urge to take a half step back. "As long as it serves its purpose well, the age doesn't matter...Wouldn't you agree, dwarf?"

She haven't waited for the response as there was commotion in the room again. Aurea raised her head and watched the masked person's outburst. "What was that about..." She muttered. Right, after all most people were here for gold, and gold alone.

Visage chuckled at the lady with her face covered. Feisty, and overly defensive. Clearly she was from the wrong side of the tracks in life, and also possessed rather poor judgment. Never bite the hand that feeds you, he had always said, and that mentality served him well in life. Stabbing the back of that same person was a different story.

Lera, however...he was just confused by her. She carried a sword, but it was wooden. Fair enough. But yet her weapon of choice was apparently not good enough for her to trust in combat. Aurea was also hiding something. He knew everyone was hiding something, but this was a concealment almost of shame more than the bullish defiance of the lady who was stomping out. Odd. Pieces to be put together...

Visage closed the distance after the lady in a few of the lengthy "woodsman's strides" he had long since learned to use. He placed a hand on her shoulder as he inched between her and the doors. His white eyes locked with hers as he spoke, and soft smile playing across his face.

"Miss...I would implore you to stay. We are a team, a unit, whatever you wish to call it, and need to retain that unity -- in this case, at least possess it in the first place. Besides, if you want that dime, leaving will do you no good."

He held his smile, for a moment as he spoke into her mind telepathically.

Besides, being hostile about your covering clearly indicates your profession and trade. Yet you are here on government business with an official paycheck. This duplicity is something naturally occurring in times of distress when expertise might be needed, but I would never personally gamble on such a risk, though we both gamble for a living, so to speak. Cross the wrong path and your death may well preceded your dime. Estrange your fellow party members and you may fall -- and who shall pick you up? Yet when two are together, one man shall not overpower them -- yes, a threefold cord is not easily broken. So, a word to the wise, if such you would like to be called -- being 'touchy' and standoffish will only accelerate your own demise.

His smile flickered a bit broader as he dropped his hand from her shoulder, gesturing from her back to the rest of the group still standing in the room.

Besides...I've seen your type before. You've been responsible for touches of your own demise your whole life, haven't you? No need to answer, of course...just a friendly reminder.

___________________________________________________________
Cast: Telepathy
Channeling Points Left: 112

Rudolph chuckled. "My apologies if I offended ye. Can't help but treat you young uns like babes. You got a point though, if it works it works. And don't cha worry yer little head bout me lass." Rudolph thumped his chest with his right fist. "Maybe old compared to ya humans, but at 160, I'm still young and spry for a dwarf." He followed the rogue's exit. "Still a bit nosty out there, wonder if she'll be fine with all that cloth gettin wet." The dwarf watched Visage intercept her and he couldn't hear him say anything, nor was his mouth moving. "Oy lass, if he tryin to fuck with yer mind, kick 'im in the family jewels!" He shouted. "That'll teach him a lesson for pryin into a place he don't belong!"

Visage, the man who took strides toward the leaving thief, and implored her to work together. What was the girl's name again? Ah. The scoundrel hadn't introduced herself, and made good progress on her observation. How troublesome, just as she'd guessed. The two characters with the strongest egos, butting heads. And even the dwarf joined in. My goddess Amadia. She prayed in her heart this would turn out well. Or perhaps Goddess Reeta would help her more?

"Let's all play nice, shall we?" She clapped her hands together, "For glory or riches, personal pursuits or otherwise, we should do our best at the jobs we've signed up for!" Lera punched her fist in the air, psyching herself up.

"Dispatching monsters, or handling precious deliveries. Receiving secret intel, or solving dilemmas. Whatever it is, with all the talents gathered here, we can clear it, no problem!" She said, with conviction and enthusiasm.

Silver tongue she may not have, but energy she got! Within reasons. In short burst.

Visage looked up at Rupolph, holding his gaze for a moment. Observant and comedic. Excellent. Glad to know we’ll be getting along and helping each other survive.

To the rest of the group he spoke aloud. “Quite true. We all have our talents. Before we rush to be on our way, I think our masked friend has made us forget the good mayor and knight may not have been finished with out instructions…such as where we are to pick up out goods, and what means we shall use to carry them. Let not our enthusiasm turn into foolhardiness.”