After a picturesque ride through the Breeland countryside, Xandilif, Finchley and Eduwiges rode into Trestlebridge, locals dodging out of their way. Drawing her warhorse to a halt with a clatter, Xandilif looked around. "This place still looks like a burning latrine no one has buried yet. Ya think the 500th time the orcs had burned them out they would get the bright idea to move the town elsewhere or build a fecking wall?”
Finchley dropped off her hoursr, shoving the last of her bread into her mouth but almost choked on the last bit of bread! "It ain't that bad, Lif. Folks here were awfully nice to me last time I were here…and they are doing their best."
Eduwiges shrugged, leading her horse to the fountain. “While I am all for defiance before the foe, she does have a point. Some lessons should have been learned by now. It’s like the same scenario plays over and over again here.”
Xandilif looked at Finch while adjusting her scarf. "OK, so that Watcher in the Prancing Pony said this Catalinna likes wine and a good time, so lets see if they have an Inn here yet, or a joy house of some kind.
Finchley nodded, pretending she knew what a Joy House was. "You got the bottle?"
At the fountain already, Gregwald leaned over to murmur to his horse, who of course didn’t understand anything he said. It didn’t care at all that he was in a hurry and took it’s sweet time drinking from the fountain. “Will you ever move...”
Xandilif nodded to Finchley and hefted the whiskey bottle. "Yeah, worst come to worst we leave it in the middle of the road, see if anyone crawls up to it.
Finchley gigglesnorted and then looked around. Her gaze passed over the man by the fountain once. Then she froze and sloooowly looked back to him, squinting a bit. He looked somewhat familiar...
Gregwald glanced over his shoulder, as if he thought he had heard something.
In the ruined square beyond, Catalinna let herself relax for a moment, but then realized that Greg was no where to be seen. "Where'd he get off to?" she wondered.
Meanwhile Finchley was still watching the horse and rider, squinting and blinking. "Is that...?"
The Banshee looked at Finchley and rubbed her hair..."Now what ya see girl? Fetch...Fetch”
The girl tilted her head a bit when the horse and rider moved out of view. "... I ain’t gonna fetch, but I think I just saw one of Mister Leoffrith's friends. He was at the weddin'. What's he doin' here?"
Gregwald finally made it to the gateway to the square and Catalinna, Sableinna and Gwyndolith all seemed to be waiting there impatiently. He pretended not to notice. "I needed to water the horse!"
Finchley shrugged. "Well, I'm gonna go see if it is him. Maybe he's seen this Cat. I feel better askin' someone I know first."
'Be careful babygirl' Xandilif frowned slightly, keeping a close eye on her as Eduwiges looked around for an inn of some kind.
Finchley nodded and moved in the direction she saw the man go, following the hoofprints on the ground.
In the square, Sablelinna looked around dubiously, 'The last time I was here, the Mayor put me up, are we camping here Cat?'
Catalinna shrugged and started unloading the horses. "As good a place as any, hm?"
Finchley paused at the gateway and then took a minute to squint once again. Then she nodded to herself and smiled. "Yooho! Mister Gregwald, aye?" She raised her hand and waved a bit. "Mister Leoffrith's friend, aye?"
Catalinna stopped and looked toward the newcomer. Her sister Sablelinna muttered, 'Is it old home week, mmm?' while Gwyndolith tried to decide if the approaching person was female or male, but ultimately decided on female.
Xandilif stayed back, just out of sight, watching Finchley, one hand on her belt while Catalinna eyed her, trying to determine if the elf was a threat
Gregwald had been about to say something about women, especially three stubborn ones, but he turned as he heard his name. He beamed a big smile, finally, some folk he knew. He waved a hand in greeting. "Hey there!"
Watching Finchley and Gregwald, Xandilif sighed and muttered to herself. "Now they gotta do the Breeland greeting ritual… ask about each other's families and sniff each others arses for an hour or two...
Sablelinna shrugs and chuckled and began to unstrap the gear on the back of her horse, Peach when she noticed the stern looking elf standing off to the side watching Finch. She kept unloading but kept her hand near her knife, whispering, 'Whats this Cat?'
Catalinna shook her head toward Sable, "Not sure.. and don't speak my name right now, hm?" But she felt the elf’s eyes on her and suspected the damage, if any, had been done.
Gwyndolith took her eyes off of Finch and moved them to Xandilif, wary of the ominous figure, her left hand floated to the bracer on her right arm so she could quickly draw the knife resting in it if need be.
Finchley grinned brightly and stepped closer giving the man’s companions a friendly wave as well. "I didn't expect to see you of all people all the way out here. But it's good to see you. How've you been? Did you know Mister Leoffrith and Miss Lumina had a baby girl? Whatcha doin' in Trestlebridge?"
Xandilif raised her voice a bit..."Get to the point, babygirl.
Eduwiges walked up and leaned into Xandilif, 'Bema knows that is a motley looking bunch if I have ever seen one. You think these are the people we are seeking?''
Xandilif glanced at Edu..."Damn I hope not...
Gregwald glanced over his shoulder at all the suspicious attitude, "They don't come as often at the tavern anymore, but aye, I've seen them all three some time ago." He offered a wave to the person by the gateway as well. "A friend of yours?"
Finchley nodded and looked over her shoulder. "Aye, she's my friend." She stuck her tongue out at Lif before turning back to Greg. "Pfft, well if I don't get to the point she might roll her eyes. Since you're here and I feel better askin' someone I know first, I'm actually lookin' for someone. Red hair, green eyes. Hmmm I don't rightly remember how tall she is. Last I saw her was in Elias Dimheim's soothery but I didn't know her name then. She's called Catalinna."
Gwyndolith snapped her gaze to Finch at the mention of Cat now mightily suspicious while Catalinna quirked a brow and did her best to listen in, while feigning as though she wasn’t paying attention.
Sablelinna walked over and sat beside her sister, 'Well, if I didnt, she sure let the cat out of the bag. Heh, Cat out of the bag.' she chuckled as Cat face palmed, 'Who are those people anyway?'
Catalinna glanced over at Sable, her expression blank. "I am not sure.. I think I remember the one in the hat."
Sablelinna chuckled again, 'Thats a hat? It looks like what we fed the goats for dinner in Aughaire.'
Xandilif noted the women suddenly staring at Finch and speaking amongst themselves....and spat. "OK, here we go...one a these is our jackrabbit.”
Gregwald raised his eyebrows. "Ah... the doctor is looking for her? Last I passed by the soothery, he told me she was gone..."
Finchley shook her head. "Ah, not the doc. Just me. I..." Her cheerful demeanor faded just a tad bit. "I was told by a friend of Lif's that she might have some answers to some questions I've been tryin' to find answers to for some time now. It's... really important to me."
Xandilif moved closer to Finchley, gesturing with her head for Edu to fall back and keep an eye on the way in.
Gregwald nodded a little, noting the elf approaching. "Cat is a bit private about her whereabouts, if she doesn't say where she is, is because she wouldn't want folk to know... But if you tell me what's your business with her, I might be able to get a message through."
Gwyndolith remained quiet, her gaze flitting between the elf and Finch, she kept her hand on her bracer knife but could tell she'd be no match.
Sablelinna whistled low, 'That is the meanest looking elf I have ever seen, sister.” Catalinna knew that there was only one way out of the square and it looked as though it was being blocked by someone they couldn’t handle. She didn’t like that, not at all.
Finchley looked a little conflicted for a moment. She didn’t want to drag someone like Greg into her problems. "Well... I found out some things when last I were in Breeland. And some of those things have somethin' to do with my adopted Grandmother. And though she's gone and dead for years now, there's much about her I still don't know. But I'd like to. And after a bit of diggin' and siftin' through what I know and what my friends know, this Catalinna's name was brought up. I don't mean her any harm. I just want to see if she's got the answers I'm lookin' for."
Sablelinna was amazed at the torrent of words coming out of Finch. 'By Clucath that girl can talk.' she whispered to Cat.
Catalinna glared over to Sable, "She's not the only one."
Gregwald rubbed his cheek, regarding Finchley with a glint of understanding in his gaze. He cast a suspicious glance towards his companions and pursed his lips. "Ummm…Shall we go someplace more private to talk?" He said quietly. "What was your grandmother’s name?" He asked already moving a bit further away from the group.
Finchley followed behind trying to smile reassuringly at Lif on the way. 'She never told me her name. But I found out nonetheless. Her name was Moyna. She... was one of the the Hillmen of Angmar. Trev Gal-somethin''
Catalinna watched as Greg walked away with the girl close behind him, and then her eyes turned back toward the fierce looking elf with the huge sword strapped to her back.
Gregwald nodded to Finch. "Alright ... I ain't sure how relevant is all that... You'd be comfortable with arranging a meeting with her? I ... am kind of fond of her and I wouldn't like to cross her, but I'll try to reach her and get back to you. There's... a path behind town that goes down the river, you know of it?"
Finchley smiled, a little hope glimmering in her green gaze. "Really? You'd do that? And, aye, I know of the path. I sort of explored a bit the last time I were here. Please, I mean her no harm at all. I promise. 'We uhh... even brought a whole bottle of whiskey just for her!'
As Finchley moved further away, Xandilif followed at a reasonable distance. Once Catalinna saw the swordwoman move she slowly walked toward the gate herself so that she can see what's going on, hopefully without attracting the elf’s attention.
Gwyndolith followed Cat and spoke softly to her "I don't like this one bit." Catalinna nodded in agreement and kept quiet, watching the swordwoman.
Gregwald regarded Finch for a long moment and then he nodded. "I believe you... it's the lady elf with the big sword that's a bit spooky...”
Finchley looked back to Lif and gigglesnorts a bit. "Eh, she's not spooky. She's just careful. OK, maybe a little spooky…"
Gregwald nodded, 'We all should be, it's dangerous times we live in. So meet at noon? In three days? Is that good? I need to get rid of my company first."
Xandilif leaned against the pole and spat. "Three days ain’t gonna fly, farmboy....which one a your girlfriends over there is this Catalinna?”
Finchley winced. '... Maybe we could make it an hour or so? Promise, I got the whiskey just for her.'
The Banshee smiled slowly. “Times are dangerous indeed, farmboy…Liable ta get more dangerous, if ya catch my drift...We ain’t gonna hurt this Catalinna...just want ta ask her a few questions....'
Finchley blushed, 'Ah! Uhhh, what Lif means to say is that it's liable to get more dangerous for us two. Not Miss Catalinna. It's... a complicated thing really. But the more I know the more I'll be prepared for the other things.'
Gregwald glared at Xandilif, 'You threatening me lady? It doesn't make it sound that you don't like hurting folk. I ain't a bird to fly. If you want a meeting that I can do for you. And that's because I know the girl to be Leoffirth's friend, he's a good man and I assume his friends are too.'
Xandilif smiled, feeling the women creeping closer around the corner, and raised her voice. "Listen farmboy, who told ya I don’t like hurtin’ people…I just said I wouldn’t hurt this Catalinna you are sweet on. As for this Leoflippth, I ain’t never laid eyes on him, so don’t assume nuthin by him. Looks to me like we have a good old fashioned game a cat and mouse going...the mouse being you. What say we make mousey squeal until the cat comes out to play, huh?”
Finchley stood on her tiptoes and seemed to debate internally with herself. After a bit she nodded and then turns to face the passage, putting a hand to her mouth so that she can be heard. "Ummm... If there be a Miss Catalinna over there, I'd much appreciate it if you'd meet me. My name's Finchley and I don't mean you any harm, promise. I just have questions I hope you have answers to. Oh! And I brought you a bottle of whiskey for your troubles. If ya talk to me, I promise I will keep my friend here calm…if not, I don’t know what she will do. That's all... Thank you!"
Gwyndolith grumbled softly "This is why you never try and sneak around elves...and I think they got another one with em somewhere." she said to herself.
Catalinna growled underneath her breath, and stepped out from around the corner. "I'm gonna need more than just one bottle of whiskey, lass."
Gregwald sighed and leaned against the pillar behind him and since there was no more part for him to play in this as far as he could tell, his gaze drifts to the curve of Finchley's backside in those leggings.
Finchley caught his look and blushed crimson, then looked to Cat and met her eyes, nodding to herself. Those were the eyes she remembered from Elias Dimheim's soothery. She patted at her pockets and rummaged around in them a bit before pulling out a few wrapped bits of candy. "This is what I've got left from the road. You can have these too if you like!... I'm willin' to talk somewhere more private. With just you and me. I can be unarmed if you like... And I'll owe you a favor."
Xandilif spat again. “Not just you and her, Babygirl...you and her and Me is fine.'
Sablelinna shook her head, 'No! You and her, and me and my sister...and her.' She pointed at Gwyn.
Xandilif looked back at Gwyndolith. "What the feck is she, another sister, Dogalinna maybe?
Catalinna almost laughed, 'Since this is all out in the open now.. Why don't we go back to where we were and you can state your business, hm?'
Finchley smiled brightly! "Really?... Um, I mean uh... That's fine with me."
Catalinna stepped back so that the woman and the elf could go first. Sablelinna rolled her eyes and followed with Gregwald. 'Greg, thats the first unattractive elf I have ever seen...'
Gregwald eyed Cat questioningly, this being the last chance for a run if she wished to run that is.
Catalinna looked back at Greg and she had the same thought for a moment. Her eyes would be asking him as if he thought this was a good idea or not. Just then Eduwiges stepped out behind them, hurding them along after Lif and Finch.
Xandilif raised her voice as if predicting what they were thinking. "Ya try and scarper that long legged Rohan bitch back there run ya down proper...and she'll make it hurt.”
Gwyndolith looked to Cat and shrugged "They did have another one with em."
Finchley turned and took the bottle of whiskey from Lif and helds it out, shaking it a bit desperately.
Gregwald grimaced at elf and pushed away from the pillar. He called out at Cat "I will go bring the guards... just in case ..."
Xandilif kept her voice raised..."Shame ta get all them nice guards killed for no damn reason....Babygirl here just wants ta talk....so she gets ta talk.”
Gwyndolith called out to the elf while staring down the Rohan woman behind them. "You know... Threats won't make us any more enticed to do what you want."
Xandilif smiled sweetly. "Sure it won't....” as Eduwiges laughed softly.
Catalinna turned her head and narrowed her eyes at the loudmouth, a small grin creepin' into the corners of her lips. "She just wants to talk.. quite good at it already."
Xandilif smirked. "Careful Finch, this one got yer number...
Finchley nodded to Lif and set the whiskey and candy to the side for now. "Well, first off, I'm Finchley. Just Finchley. I remember you from Doctor Dimheim's when I got my haircut... I wanted to ask you a few questions regardin' the woman I called Grams all my life... Her name was Moyna of the Trev Gallorg."
Catalinna raised a brow and looked to Gwyn at the mention of the name. "Your grandmother, hm?"
Finchley nodded. "Adopted grandmother. Only, she never told me her name. But now I know it."
Catalinna went silent for a moment, 'And what questions did you have?'
Finchley looked to Lif and rubbed her hands together since they were shaking a little. "Um, from what I've found out of her since, she were a witch from some guild of 'em. And she did some horrible things and betrayed her people... But, we were told by a friend that maybe you know of her or what she was. If you do, please, tell me anythin' you know. What I mean to ask is, if you know, who was Moyna of the Trev Gallorg? What did she do? What do they say of her?"
Stepping into the square, Edu felt the hairs on the back of her neck begin to stand up... Something did not feel right.
Sablelinna perked up when she heard the name of her tribe being spoken of. She looked at Cat, amazed.
There's was much in what Finchley had just said that helped Cat in piecing together some of the things she had learned while in Aughaire. However, there's were still many missing pieces. "A witch... aye, that sounds right. I hate to tell you, but... there's been much done to erase her name from the tribe I'm afraid. You've heard of a dance of life as well, hm?"
Finchley nodded in understanding, a bit of pain creeping into her gaze. "I know nothin' of a 'dance of life'. What is it?"
Sablelinna looked over at Finch, “Umm, I heard that name once...'
Finchley looked to Sable and smiled a bit painfully. "Ah, if you know anythin' of Moyna I'd like to hear it, no matter what it is. She was my Grams. I can handle it."
Sablelinna nods softly, 'When i was little, my mother and father were arguing, It stuck with me because of what happened. Mother said something about hiding from dwarves and then that name, Moyna, My father slapped her and began to beat her. He screamed that she was going to get us killed saying that name.' She crossed her arms under her breasts, the memory deeply disturbing to her.
Finchley tried to keep her face straight but ultimately failed with each word out of Sable's mouth, her features becoming increasing sad and pinched with pain. She looked to her toes and nods.
Gregwald glanced at Edu, and noted her alarm mirrored his own. That creepy feeling was all too familiar by now. He snapped to his feet and he called out at the gathering. 'Something is wrong!"
Catalinna was listening to Sable while still keeping an eye out on Finchley and the elf; however, as Greg called out, she turned her head that way and her eyes narrow. "Just talk, hm?" She ran to Greg. Sablelinna chased after Cat, drawing her bow and nocking an arrow.
Finchley looked up and furrows her brows. "Wha-- It ain't us. I promised you!" She runs after them.
Running towards Greg after his cry of warning, Cat was startled by a loud THOCK sound near her ear as a heavy, black fletched arrow struck a pole beside her head, narrowly missing her. She drew her throwing knife and looked in the direction it came from. "Great..."
Xandilif spat. "Wonderful…”
Finchley's eyes went wide and she reached for her daggers. "Lif... do you think it's them?"
Eduwiges pointed up to the one of the roof tops towards the mayors house, 'Look! up there! As Edu pointed towards the roof, another arrow targets her. The arrow sailed over Edu, missing her by a few inches, and buried itself at Greg's feet. After it impacted, it hissed and the ground bubbled.
Gregwald startled and out of reflex and a great love for his precious life, he fell to the ground and slithered away to take cover behind several freshly made coffins, raising one up as a barricade.
Catalinna's eyes widened as she saw the effect the arrow had on the ground. "What the... Acid?" She had a similar reaction and practically jumped over Greg to take cover behind the coffins. Gwyndolith rushed forward to take cover behind the stone foundations of the ruined building ahead.
An arrow struck the coffin they were huddling behind, a few splinters raining over Cat. The sound of snapping wood echoed as a wrinkled, aged hand broke out of the coffin they were hiding behind and grabbed Cat by the throat, a weak voice from inside whispered “I don't want to die yet…I am not ready yet...I take the deal...."'
Catalinna dropped her knives as the hand burst through the coffin and grabbed her by the throat. She winced in pain as something inside her chest reacted to this undead and her complexion turned a sickly shade- she didn’t look well at all.
Gregwald kept the coffin up, as more arrows were likely be flying soon. He wasn’t armed, unfortunately, but knew where Cat had her other dagger. In her boot. He reached for it to stab the hand with it but couldn’t grasp it.
Cat hissed “I am being strangled by a zombie, and NOW you try to feel me up?”
Finchley peered around the corner and gasped aloud at the sight of an undead hand choking Cat. She looked for Lif and called out, "Lif! Is it them? The Unsealed?" A horrible sinking feeling grew in the pit of her stomach. If this was her fault...
The corpse’s hand tightened further on Cat’s throat, the soft voice whispering more urgently. “Please…I have grandchildren I wish to see grow..please…die for me…just...DIE for me.”
