"Barely a scratch," the bard reassured Samuel with a wry smile. Arduinna's scolding would have come too late if Jigano hadn't slipped free of the vine on his own, but he retrieved his footwear without wasting time trying to put it back on. Close to Killian and Sam, he raised a brow at her too-little, too-late warning, but was mollified by the apology in her gaze. Not poisonous, huh? That meant other vines and thorns were, and he frowned thoughtfully as he glanced towards the forest that might love the woman who led them, but clearly had no such soft spot for those who followed her.
The warning that they were close was well-taken, and he glanced around to make sure his companions were prepared for what might happen next. Samuel faded from sight, and though Jigano had seen it partially in effect the night before, the display of invisibility now was even more striking. Deimos looked fiercely ready for violence, and Killian, apparently no worse for wear from whatever trick the forest had played on him, had transformed into his swiftest form. They were a group to be reckoned with... but they were only four. Five, if the lady who led them was on their side and not just leading them into another ambush. She had never answered what she would consider in trade for her guidance, and though she had recognized the threat inherent in the barrier's fall it was unclear whether she blamed those within or not.
But whether they were four or five mattered little against an entire village of Fae, did it not? They were a motley and untried team, largely ignorant of each other's strengths and weaknesses. He doubted the answer would lie in violence, but his talk with Eliza had revealed little that they had in the way of goods or services to negotiate with, and many of their northern neighbors had no interest in negotiating even if they had. If they were to free Amalia, Caiside, and Kiada he would have to hope that their guide had a better hand of cards than he did for it. What had she said when she first appeared? ...Let us rescue them? No... You ought to, had been the words.
He dared not count on her for help, did he?
Mind racing furiously he stepped forward to stand at her side, giving her a respectful nod. "Any advice you have for negotiating with the Fae and freeing our friends would be helpful, great Lady," he said quietly, even as his senses strained to pick up the sights and sounds of the village that was apparently so near. "Please."
The warning that they were close was well-taken, and he glanced around to make sure his companions were prepared for what might happen next. Samuel faded from sight, and though Jigano had seen it partially in effect the night before, the display of invisibility now was even more striking. Deimos looked fiercely ready for violence, and Killian, apparently no worse for wear from whatever trick the forest had played on him, had transformed into his swiftest form. They were a group to be reckoned with... but they were only four. Five, if the lady who led them was on their side and not just leading them into another ambush. She had never answered what she would consider in trade for her guidance, and though she had recognized the threat inherent in the barrier's fall it was unclear whether she blamed those within or not.
But whether they were four or five mattered little against an entire village of Fae, did it not? They were a motley and untried team, largely ignorant of each other's strengths and weaknesses. He doubted the answer would lie in violence, but his talk with Eliza had revealed little that they had in the way of goods or services to negotiate with, and many of their northern neighbors had no interest in negotiating even if they had. If they were to free Amalia, Caiside, and Kiada he would have to hope that their guide had a better hand of cards than he did for it. What had she said when she first appeared? ...Let us rescue them? No... You ought to, had been the words.
He dared not count on her for help, did he?
Mind racing furiously he stepped forward to stand at her side, giving her a respectful nod. "Any advice you have for negotiating with the Fae and freeing our friends would be helpful, great Lady," he said quietly, even as his senses strained to pick up the sights and sounds of the village that was apparently so near. "Please."
