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"I'll admit, I can be a bit reckless at times, and traveling tonight could be dangerous, but I don't think it will be a big problem as long as we are careful. Have someone who can see in the dark lead the mule and watch for holes. As long as we are careful, we'll be fine."

Angel pauses, then swifty dismounts from Praesul, landing on the soft ground. Holding the horses reins loosely she nods in agreement.
"Please lead the way, I will walk with the wagon, You, Priest" She points to Bastian, "Stay close to the wagon, I suggest some of you dismount and walk.

Turning to Salia she smiles, "You may ride Praesul, I will hold his reins. Any exa weight, no matter how slight could cause a problem."

She nods to Papa, hoping he's in agreement.

Elias steps down off his horse and ties the reigns to the back of the wagon. He then takes the mule and prepares to lead the way.

"I won't be far from the wagon. If the rain increases any, I'll be just slightly blinder than a bat!" Batian says with a nervous smile. "I don't think Liquitus will do anything for vision beyond blurring it...." he mutters to himself. Subconsciously, he reaches into his pouch and retrieves the coin given to him and clutches it tightly.

"I agree, the rain is a problem, either we go on, in this or we camp in the rain and the mud.. What's it to be?" Stepping forward slowly she looks around, scanning the horizon. "Keep your eyes open, stay alert."

As Bastian brings the coin from his pouch he is momentarily bathed in a day-bright glow which is blocked off as he closes his hand around it. Once his hand has closed, the light of the coin shines through skin and muscle, causing the hand to glow dimly, like the last ember of a dying campfire, and stray rays shine out through any gaps.

After a moment's experimentation, Bastian is able to open his fingers slightly and direct a beam of light down towards the road ahead. It's not a solution to the problem, but at least it illuminates and reveals the worst of the road hazards.

Two hours after sundown, as the wagon creeps along the road dodging mud puddles, Elias sees a light in the distance. Half an hour after that you approach a small village. The light is a lantern hanging on a crossbeam above what passes for a gate. The village has no wall, just a sturdy stockade fence about eight feet high.

Those of you on horseback are able to see over the fence. In a shed next to the gate are several teenaged boys, one of whom is wearing a ragged tabard. Hearing visitors at the gate, he walks out of the shed but remains under the overhang in front of it.

In what seems to be a standard practice, the boy attempts to squeeze a gratuity out of your group. Lacking the courage of his convictions, he caves in quickly and allows you to enter. He is unable to direct you to an inn, the village being too small for such, but there is a public house, and the owner does allow visitors to stay overnight in the common room and in the stables.

Drenched, cold and shaking, your group files in to the pub and gathers around the fire. The pub is unlike most in the area - it has a central fire pit like a northern mead-hall. The owner, a tall man with a long curly blonde hair and a long moustache, rushes over and builds up the fire, then brings a pot of spiced wine, which he hangs on a hook over the fire, and a bowl of meat and several long cooking forks, all without being asked. "Cold wet night out there," he says quietly, his voice a bass rumble. "You'll want something hot."

The pub is more or less empty. There are only two or three locals about, and they have the look of people who have to be pried out of their chairs rather than leaving a pub willingly.

Angel ensures Fraso and his staff enter the building safety, then she stables Praesul as best she can, the horse had been through worse, feisty and rude, no one else had wanted him... They shared a common bond.

Stroking him down she nodded at Papa and Hiric before returning to the Common room.

Shaking her dirty blonde hair, attempting to remove some of the water.

"Yes, hot stew if you have some, and drinks." She attempts a smile, hasn't been much to smile about so far.

Turning to the other she points to the common room, "This is where we sleep, it appears."

Bastian sits next to the fire and murmurs a quick blessing over the pot of wine. "At a time like this, I'm just happy to be warm and dry!"

"Hot's good," Elias says.

He sets down his pack and takes his wet cloak outside under the eaves of the tavern to shake off the worst of the rain. He comes back in afterwards and drapes some of his wet things over a chair by the fire.

[OOC]@ Jenara: There's no stable per se. There is a barn with a few stalls along the walls and a large open area in the middle. Hiric, with Papa's help, has already parked the wagon as far into the barn as he could, and has unhitched the mules and tied them to a line.[/OOC]

"Stew's all gone, but I can heat up some pease porridge, or oatmeal if you like. And help yourself to the meat - just roast it over the fire.
"Bad night to be outdoors," says your host, "but you can all stay here by the fire tonight for fifty gold coins. Each." He lets that hang out there for a moment, then smiles at your shocked reactions.
"Well, it was worth a shot. I'll be back with a pot of porridge and a pot of oatmeal, and whatever else is left."

Angel sighs, reaching for some meat she sets to work cooking Legion style, she had spent enough time cooking on open fires.

"Who wants some?" She looks to the assembled party. "Don't get used to this, however tonight we do what we must"

"I have seen worse, but traveling in this, is not ideal. She turns to the barman.

[ooc]@ Stik, previous post edited with reason,think it makes better sense now.[/ooc]

Daos takes a seat by the fire, taking a moment to warm up and rub his hands over the flame. Once a bit warmer, he partakes in some of the fire-roasted meat. The wizard was rather used to 'roughing it' and so doesn't appear at all bothered by the accommodations.

The meal is pleasant, if a bit strange - roasted meat and oatmeal being an unusual combination. Throughout the meal, however, your group is treated to a series of hostile glances from two of the barflies. They are eyeing Elias in particular, but also Angel and Daos. Their conversation is hushed, but at times rises to a level which makes it clear that they are deliberately allowing themselves to be overheard. In the manner of the poorly educated and not especially intelligent or tolerant, they have a variety of unkind things to say about elves. They keep going on about the topic until the barman scolds them and threatens to boot them out.

After a night spent sleeping on benches and tables around the fire pit, with the person on watch feeding the fire during their shift, your group awakens to the sound of food being prepared. The barman weaves his way carefully to the firepit, a large pot in one hand and a tray in the other. He hangs the pot from a hook, drags some coals from the fire off to one side and places a large skillet on them, and begins tossing in a variety of foods from bowl on the tray.

"I have to apologize for my other guests yester-eve. Some folk will believe anything. And some folk just have a lot of hostility in them, and just need a ready target. Veteran drinkers tend to fit into both groups. Add in these rumors of elves trying to cheat death and, well, you get last night.
"Just take care on the road."

"You are speaking of the so-called 'elven lich,' yes? The one that washed on the beach in Orr's Bay?" Daos asks the barman, curiously. "Have you heard anything about that? I am quite interested in learning more about it."

(Bit of backtrack..)

Angel said nothing to the comments, she has heard much worse for other reasons. She did not remove her armor, her sword stayed at her side constantly (even during her stint at cooking).

After She cooks the meal she does not converse with many of the party, sharing the occasional pleasantly if she has too.. She seems unusually quiet and withdrawn, her last experience affecting her maybe.

(Morning...)

Angel awakes after a rough night sleeping (and guarding) in armor, the smells making her rise early.

Hearing the conversation on the 'Vampire' she takes more interest.
"We have heard of this supposed Vampire, many lash out at things they do not understand."

Nodding to Daos she starts to eat, "Please, tell us what you know.."