Desmond attaches the wire to the copper and finally, with all the work done, the battery is complete.

"This should work nicely. It has a lesser capacity but capacity shouldn't be a problem if you constantly need it out." The stitcher said. "We've seen the master's bow stitches but I hardly ever saw him create something compact. Give me your arm."

Ghan simply detaches the arm and offers the object to Desmond. Crossbow arm.

"It increases your range and killzone. That or we attach wires onto the bolts you fire, effectively transporting the electrical current further from your reach and stun something." Desmond said. "Either way, the basics should go first. Battery comes in here..."

The stitcher opens the arm and begins surgery. The flesh outer coating is carefully removed to reveal the inner clockwork that is Ghan's muscular system. There is a lot of space left inside as Desmond predicted such improvements. He took a bite of the apple he had gotten. A long night of work.

Boris, unlike the others who are interacting with one another, is sitting all by his lonesome, lost within his own trance of self-doubt. Although Liss has warmed up to him, he still felt... alone. Stronger, but alone. After their fight within the sewers, Boris has been silent throughout the entire trip. Not a single word slipped from his lips as if he's contemplating. His birds in his wicker hat were quiet as well, no song broke out to fill the air. Images of his sister being rampantly killed by werewolves continuously played in his head, and the final words Themba spoke to him before her ascension echoed nonstop. He was too late to save those he loved and for that he now vows to slaughter any that are labeled rancorous. He had no one to go home to, he doubted that the village will even recognize his return once this journey's over. This uncertainty fed his sorrow greatly for he has either done little for the group, let alone cower as his teammates die by evil hands. Liss is the only one that still cares for him, but even she found someone to protect her rather than Boris. What little else is there for him? What crumbs of destiny are left for him to scrap up as his mission ends? Unbeknownst to him, a lone crow descends from the trees and rests upon his shoulderpad, its cawing broke the silence that barricaded around him. It scooted up and cawed near his ear, almost softly, like whispers. Whispers that only he can understand.

Jessica lied her head on Gabriel's chest and couldn't stop smiling, her eyes recovered it's brightness and for her it was hard to believe that everything was actually happening she never imagined that she'd feel such joy in her whole life "Make this last forever Gabriel..." she said to him as she closed her eyes, after a few seconds she started to fall asleep on him. Jessica mumbled "I... I love you", feeling to safe and comfortable next to him, that she could finally catch some sleep. This time, the smile on her face didn't dissapear

After finishing the song with Ahriman, Septimius left the bottle with him and went over to his shield. He grabbed two more and turned to his brother, but noticing him cuddling with Jessica, he snickered and backed off. He walked around and decided to not bother Desmond with his tinkering, so went to the one man he hadn't talked with much but should've talked to more. He plopped himself next to Boris, startling the crow that blasted off with a caw and flurry of feathers. "Whoops, sorry, did i interrupt something?" He offered a bottle as he took a swig from his own. He grimaced and coughed, but he was slowly getting used to the sharp taste. "So Boris, we liberated your homeland, how do you feel?"

"Empty." Boris finally broke his silence.

"I've always thought I would earn everything back, back from the fiends that robbed my life long ago," he bowed his head slightly, his eyes narrowed down, "but I was wrong."

"As I look back on our journey, I realize the tunnel to my future is slowly dimming. I've been... asking myself... questions."

"Questions?" Septimius tilted his head in a mix of interest and confusion. "Questions about what? If you're doing the right thing? Because let me tell you... I have no idea." He shrugged.

Before Boris could say anything to such a ridiculous answer, Septimius pushed on. "We all entered the mission with a goal in mind, to save the world." He pointed at his brother, "to find answers." He pointed at Jessica, "I joined because i simply wanted an adventure. You joined because you wanted to save your homeland. But you come here, you rid this place of the plague gripping it, and you come out empty handed. Do you know why?" Septimius took a swig and licked his lips, "It's because your reward isn't your own, it's this land's."

He waved at the city, empty as it was. "You gave everyone here, generations to come, a chance they would have never gotten if that enchantress and her filthy mutts still terrorized the lands. Now kids can grow up to not become food, everyone can rest easy as they no longer have to fear the night and moon, and life for them, can move on." He sighed, "Now I know it's not very glamorous, not many people are going to know what you did for them, but you will. You have saved so many people and their futures Boris, you should be proud of yourself."

"But our job isn't done yet, if we don't save Rae-Ala, then the werewolves will be back, and what we did would have all been for nought. Boris you lost friends and family, and now here's your chance to prevent it from happening to anyone else. But now we rest and party, because we're alive to fight another day, in the names of those we lost, and for the sakes of those who can't protect themselves. Now cheers." He tilted his bottle, waiting for Boris to tap glasses before drinking again.

As the levy of heroes began to talk amongst themselves, it was soon realized that an overwhelming sleepiness had consumed them. It was soon agreed upon that they would all rest until the morning and figure out what to do afterwards. Gabriel and Jessica laid next to one another, Marcus and Liss laid inside the inn, and the others simply lied down in different spots all by their lonesome. It was a serene yet eerie thing, as the moon traveled down the skies and the sun replaced it soon after.

The break of dawn awoke them, and it was the first normal sleep the group had had in ages. They weren't waking up at night anymore. The morning dew was evident on the grasses. They all smiled, said good morning to one another, and eventually Septimius pulled out their map.

"Well," He said solemnly, "We missed a city back by Falarog."

He pointed to a spot below the city, frowning, "We still have to go to Ravenholt. It looks like we'll be looping back to get there."

Jessica can't remember the last time she slept that good. It were hours of relaxation next to Gabriel, it was a priceless moment for her. She woke up when she felt the sun touching her skin, she stretched her arms and legs and stood up. Smiling once again remembering what happened the last night.

She heard what Septimius said and answered "Well then, Ravenholt it is!. Take your time to get ready". She then moved closer to Gabriel and took out the feather from her armor "Here, you can take care of them for today. This one is from the enchantress, I still got to defeat my own beast, but I won't be left behind Mr. Paladin" she smiled as she handed him the feather.

Jessica then walked to the inn, looking for Marcus and Lissette she could feel in which room they were, she stood in front of the door and knocked loud enough for them to hear "Marcus! Lissette!, we're moving to Ravenholt in a few minutes!" She smiled, happy for both of them. Jessica then simply waited for everyone else to get ready to continue their journey.

Quote from Aquila

"Questions?" Septimius tilted his head in a mix of interest and confusion. "Questions about what? If you're doing the right thing? Because let me tell you... I have no idea." He shrugged.

Before Boris could say anything to such a ridiculous answer, Septimius pushed on. "We all entered the mission with a goal in mind, to save the world." He pointed at his brother, "to find answers." He pointed at Jessica, "I joined because i simply wanted an adventure. You joined because you wanted to save your homeland. But you come here, you rid this place of the plague gripping it, and you come out empty handed. Do you know why?" Septimius took a swig and licked his lips, "It's because your reward isn't your own, it's this land's."

He waved at the city, empty as it was. "You gave everyone here, generations to come, a chance they would have never gotten if that enchantress and her filthy mutts still terrorized the lands. Now kids can grow up to not become food, everyone can rest easy as they no longer have to fear the night and moon, and life for them, can move on." He sighed, "Now I know it's not very glamorous, not many people are going to know what you did for them, but you will. You have saved so many people and their futures Boris, you should be proud of yourself."

"But our job isn't done yet, if we don't save Rae-Ala, then the werewolves will be back, and what we did would have all been for nought. Boris you lost friends and family, and now here's your chance to prevent it from happening to anyone else. But now we rest and party, because we're alive to fight another day, in the names of those we lost, and for the sakes of those who can't protect themselves. Now cheers." He tilted his bottle, waiting for Boris to tap glasses before drinking again.

Septimius's speech has budged his lack of conviction. Boris has not only saved the lives of his homeland, but generations beyond. If he wishes to save the world, he needs to rely on his friends, and those who have suffered for years under the shroud of darkness. A smile stretched across his face and gladly accepted the glass from the mage and tapped it as a toast for the protection of this world and generations after.

Morning came as the first ray of sunlight shined upon the heroes. Boris, like always, awaken lastly. He stretched out and limbered himself before heading to their next destination. Boris reached into his satchel and brought out some seeds for the wakening birds in his hat. Pouring some into corners, the birds hopped up and pecked up seed by seed. Overhearing Septimius's grim situation, he walked up and glanced at his map.

"Ravenholt? Why does that sound familiar?"

A dull hammering could be felt in his head, I had too much to drink... he grimaced and shook his head as he listened to Boris, "Ravenholt... No idea..." He tapped the map as he thought then snapped his fingers. "Ahriman, you talked of Ravenholt before yes?" He turned to face the armored magician.

Desmond woke with a start, his eyes bulged out in surprise that he'd fallen asleep sitting up with tools in hand.

Groggily, he raised Ghan's arm in front of his face. "Well. It looks good." He commented after a yawn. "We'll continue when I'm not sleepy. Must've been tired all that time."

The stitcher reconnected the arm to Ghan. The battery was placed inside neatly and the gears were ready for the new emplacement, whatever it would be. Everyone seemed to be a bit more chipper than usual. Ghan set forth forward.

Perimeter check. He said telepathically.

Desmond nodded and stood up to Septimius. "Ravenholt. My old home. Or near it, if not."

The sack of food sat near the fire. Now who will carry that? He thought to himself.

Ravin raised his hand in objection to their new course. Ravenholt. He had never been there, but two of his companions had.

"Hello? Yes? We're in Worborrow are we not? Would it not be considerably safer to stay in this now significantly safer are and take a small detour than risk our lives? And not only that, but both Mr. Zhern and Otael have less than pleasant things to say about the place. Hell, Otael was in shambles at the near mention of the place back in Aunorgard! Our friend has been through trying times! Should we endeavor to keep our party in relative good mental health? Keeping in mind, the fact that questions of sanity are being raised by the man with voices in his head!"

Otael heard the words. "Ravenholt". Just the word itself twisted at his heart, stabbing it with fangs and clamping it with a vice-grip. He started to gag and choke, trying to hold back the pain that name had brought to him. Tears started to fill up his very eyes. "No... it ok... Feather important." It killed him to say these words. The last thing he wanted to do was return there, but he knew he had to pull through. It was not the cuts and bruises that got to him, he knew he could brush those off with ease as he has done time and time again. No, it was everything else, the way people stared at him even when he was still an acceptably looking young boy, the names he was called. He could not do anything to the aggressors, because they outnumbered him an insane amount. The fact that so many nice people could change into cruel monsters the second he came insight hurt the most. His strongest power was not his brute strength, but his ability to make good men evil at in a heartbeat. He simply looked at Fluffy, the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, not just for her beautifully white fur, or her cute beady eyes, but for her inability to be corrupted. It was at the moment where he saw Fluffy he let out a waterfall of tears, matched with quiet whimpers. "We go soon?" He asked through his mangled throat.

Desmond remembered back in Aunorgard at how Otael reacted to simply hearing the name of the city. He had called him over then for a bite to eat but the idea was driven out by the invasion of undead. Maybe now should be helpful...right?

The stitcher grabbed an apple from the sack and approached the big man. "Hey," Desmond started. "I owe you and Ravin a meal. So here." Desmond handed the apple to Otael. "We've got some vegetables over there for Fluffy as well. I can't really cook but we've got meat. Breakfast."