Veragwen smiled a little, "Oh, I was only half serious. I know it's really not my fault and there wasn't anything I could do to stop it....I still feel responsible, though... Protecting Seles and my loved ones was my life's goal. And now look at it. Reduced to rubble and dust. I suppose it's more the lack of a goal that's well....dispiriting me, I suppose."

She shrugged, "However, I'm afraid I don't know much about guiding souls....my profession was more....physical." she rose an eyebrow at Caelyn, "And how exactly would I do that? Even if I were to go after that man that controlled the scorpion, he is a Dragoon and beyond my ken to fight. The only thing I could do is follow in his wake and treat the injured he leaves behind....or die trying to stop him." she shook her head, "I would gladly give my life to protect an innocent, but only if I had even a very small chance of stopping the threat...." she rubbed her chin and thought a moment as she got out of bed. She nodded, the familiar look of determination returning to her features, "The only one who has a chance right now is Mara and she has my full support. I owe her for saving my life and what does remain does Seles."

Kayden? Nayahs had lost track of the conversation already, and it wasn’t till Caelyn turned to her and answered her directly till she snapped back from dazing off again. Dealing with the pain was really taking her energy off her.
“Dawn ... ?” She looked out the window and true, it was already bright once more. “Wait.. How many more were injured…? “Nayash asked after the room became silent once more. “You are-argh-“ The feeling of tiredness started to leave her and instead the feeling of her wounds were coming back to her. “You’re talking about fighting… Leaving town… Seles.. Was it?” Nayash questioned. She then looked at each of the people in the room, and wondered the most obvious question.
“Why are we in an inn and not at the medic..?”
The unanswered questions were so many and she was starting to feel worried once more, and raised her hand to her head. It was still wrapped, and painfully pulsing as she touched the back of it, and she closed her eyes. “What exactly happened…?”

She had been silently watching and listening to everyone while moving about the room and spinning Nayash's hammer boredly. She stopped when she was near the owner of said hammer and prodded her belly with it gently. "There was this big scorpion thing and you guys killed it, but then it changed colors and came back to life and there was this guy in a cloak who told you he had the powers of balloons and then he beat you up and I had to drag you all the way back here -welltheorangehairedgirlhelped- and you're kinda surprisingly heavy you know but maybe it's just because I'm small."

This whole time she had continued to gently poke Nayash with the hammer in various parts of her body.

Nayash whinced at the first poke of her hammer, and then pushed it aside, however it didn't stop there. She was just about to open her mouth as the prodding woman started to speak, and as she stopped, Nayash had had enough.

"Stop that.. It hurts.." she said in her most assertive tone of voice. However it was weak, she couldnt believe what she had just heard. That could not have been happening. That could not have happened. It was too huge. Who was a balloon warrior? That made no sense. A giant scorpion? What..?
"No.. What? Why would he beat me up? What is balloon powers..?" Nayash asked and frowned. Was this woman crazy? She must be crazy. Nayash started to feel a headache comming on, and her eyes were shutting agian on their own accord.
"Where are you heading now..? Sorry I'm not quite follow.. Following the conversation."

Veragwen giggled, "Dragoon, Raena, not balloon." she turned to Nayash, and also prevented Raena from poking the poor girl, "You and he apparently have a past and you chased after him as we fought the scorpion, you fought and he turned into a Dragoon, a dragon knight, one who can rule a dragon, and he worked you over pretty good. Most of your wounds have been treated, but the major ones still need time to heal so take it easy."

She helped Nayash up out of her bed and put the woman's arm around her shoulder, making sure to use the uninjured side, "I'll help you, put as much weight on me as you need. Anyway, we're going to Bale. It's the closest town to Seles, and the King needs to know what happened here."

Marmalade backed away from Caelyn a few steps. Far enough to give her space, but close enough to catch her if she fell. There was something familiar about her, but Marmalade couldn't put her finger on it. She stared at the woman, trying to figure it out, but was distracted as Raena started talking.
After listening to everyone, she decided it was time to hit the road. It was a days walk to Bale and with two injured people, it would be longer. The cave they would be going through would not be helpful to their condition.
"Ladies, lets finish up what we need to do and head out." Marmalade sighed. She had just found a place to settle and now she had to leave. She took out an old map from her pack and placed it on a nearby table. "We can make camp in the valley before we go into the cave. Then we will spend a couple hours healing with the spirits. This way the dampness of the cave won't effect the wounds too much." Marmalade looked at her companions. This was either going to be very good... or very bad.

Caelyn saw the look of concern on Mara's face when she mentioned the cave. "D'no worry Mara, I can stand. See?" Caelyn did her best to be stable and it took just that to do it. She was still in rougher shape than she was willing to admit. She pulled her cloak down over her face hoping it would help hide her grimacing. "I will no' be the one draggin' down the group." She said with mostly to herself.

With that she pulled out a piece of saltwater taffy, she popped it into her mouth and noticed Marmalade staring at her. "It's taffy, my da' says its somethin' that my mother used to love. It's the only thin' I really know about her. My da' didn't talk about her much, and when I would ask he would say it's hard to explain." Caelyn's eyes started forming water and she shook her head a bit embarrassed for the raw exposure.

Quite thankfull that Veragwen had stepped in between the two, Nayash shot a quick smile her way, before listening. When she heard she had something in common with the man they fought her interest peaked, and her face twisted once more into a frown.
“We mustn’t have been on good terms..” she mumbled as she was offered help out of her bed. “Thank you” She said, and took the help. She knew this wasn’t really her character, but then again she barely knew her character anymore. So she waited till the room was quiet once more. “Bale sounds like a reasonable idea based of what I heard. But I have no traveling supplies, or bags, or weapons. You said that you have seen me before the fight… Did I leave anything of mine behind do you know?”

In an attempt to actually be helpful to the situation and somewhat normal, she perked up. "Well... you have this?" She proffered the hammer she had previously been poking the girl with. "I didn't really see anything else about when I tried to bring you back, but I was kind of more thinking about you not dying than if you had dropped some bandages or donuts...

...

mmmm.... donuts..."

Veragwen nodded, "Yeah, that hammer Raena has is yours. I wonder if you'll be able to fight with it though....that's a pretty complicated weapon to use and you're wounded. I'm sure there's a sword in what Mara and I salvaged before we got here. That's probably a safer weapon to use if you're intent on fighting. I think you left your pack at my place. It's right next to here, so we can pick it up as we go."

She looked at everyone in turn, "Shall we get moving?"

Marmalade looked at Caelyn slightly surprised.
"My mother loved saltwater taffy. She use to keep a jar on the counter in the kitchen." she told Caelyn, then took a deep breath. She couldn't cry. It was a sign of weakness. Her mother deserved laughter and smiles, not tears. She pushed down her sadness, they needed her to be strong and damn it, she would be. This thought was enough to lift her spirits again.
She heard the others talking about Nayash's belonging and decided she wouldn't be much help in that conversation, but when Veragwen said a sword would be a safer weapon, Marmalade just had to say something.
"Muscle memory would kick in and Nayash would be using her hammer much better than a sword. Besides, I don't think we will be needing to fight on the way to Bale. At least, nothing we can't handle between us... three..." she didn't know how skilled Raena was in combat, but decided the girl would be upset if she left her out.
"We should definitely head out.." she said and started for the door. She knew Caelyn wanted to put the spirits of the deceased to rest before they left, they might as well do that first. Couldn't make the walk any longer.

"My da' said he never liked it, but he used to pretend that he did for my mother. Would you like a piece?" Caelyn offered it out to Mara. She saw the deep inhale and knew what she was fighting back. She was strong, stronger than her. She had always been an emotional cannon. She got it from her father. He had a quick temper, he never lost it fully but it would grow very fast. Maybe if she had a mother around to help teach her how to stem her emotions a bit better. Caelyn shook her head, that was a dark path and she was with new great friends.

The way that Mara looked at Caelyn when she mentioned the saltwater taffy. It had to be coincidence, didn't it? Caelyn looked at Mara a bit more closely this time, and she couldn't help but notice. "She's got his nose." She said softly aloud to herself. "Ah Caelyn, you're chasin' ghosts, and makin' connections that canno' be possible." She shook her head, stood a little straighter and pulled herself down into a kneeling pose.

"Dear Maker, please guide these souls. I did not know them well eno' to vouch for them all. But I would like to think they were all kind-hearted. Make their eternal slumber as peaceful and beautiful that you can." She said with mist forming in her eyes. Dammit there she went again. Why can't I hold it together right now?

"Vera, I no' it canno' be enough my friend. But I hope that it helps them. I am sorry if it wasn't lovely, I've never been too good with me words."

I was still going over the flyer in my hand for the millionth time when I reached the small village of Seles, woefully unaware that the monster lay dead on the edge of the forest behind me and the village was in the process of mourning those who'd died just earlier that evening. I couldn't care any less about the gold reward, these folks are in serious need of help. Probably just a really angry bear anyways. Wonder if they'll lend me some honey for it... Looking up from the flyer, I stop as I realize that not only was I in Seles, but it would seem I had arrived in the midst of a period of mourning, and for reasons I seem to be unable to figure out.

I frown as I look around, unable to find a suitable joke to make some smiles appear and instead decide to find an inn and possibly some food and rest before starting my questioning in the morning. Of course, I was still clueless about the dead body behind me, but that didn't matter much with my stomach growling at me loudly. Getting directions to the inn from one of the guards, I set off humming a soft tune to myself while I search. After several incorrect doors and dodged projectiles in the forms of plates, boots and other items, I find the inn and enter, a smile on my face despite the dark atmosphere. "Hello! Where might I find the inn keeper?"

The downtrodden and disheartened faces that greeted me left me mumbling a quick apology and going to find a suitable room for the night. As I went to check each guest room, I muttered to myself about the ill effects on one's health always wearing frown can have. Hearing voices from behind a door as I pass, I stop to listen for a moment and catch one of them saying something about setting out after giving some final words for the dead. Knock, don't knock, knock, don't knock, knock, don't knock. Screw it. Putting my smile back on my face before knocking on the door, I wait for someone to answer it.

Veragwen smiled at Caelyn and shook her head, "I think you underestimate yourself, Caelyn. It's better than anything I could do. They were all good people and I do want them to rest peacefully. It's just....what do you say to the dead? How do you know they can even hear you? Wouldn't you feel silly knowing that your words were falling on deaf ears? Perhaps that is why it is good that we really don't know what happens in death. Or perhaps we say these words simply to help us move on...It gets you thinking, doesn't it?" she blushed, "Sorry, I'm ranting out loud again. Thank you for your kind words, Caelyn." she smiled at her again.

She and Nayash were right in front of the door when they heard a knock on it. Vera blinked in surprise and gave Mara a quizzical look before opening it, "Um, hello," she said, adjusting Nayash's arm so they were both more comfortable, "My name is Veragwen. Can I help you, sir?"

I flash my best smile and bow ever so slightly. "I apologize, milady, for interrupting you, but I was wondering if by chance you would share why you're all leaving this fine morning. Judging from the way you're armored and your Death Frontier friend there, I take it you're warriors here to help the good folk of this town with their monster problem." I look past Veragwen and notice the others, all with weapons and some form of armor as well. "In fact, you all seem to be warriors. If you're all leaving that means," I stop and a brief frown crosses my face, off setting the smile I'd just had.

"Am I already too late to be of assistance? Did the monster get slain while I traveled?" I grumble something about should have rented a horse and sigh. "It would seem I interrupted you for no reason, I apologize." I turn to go back to the common room and just order some food then stop, turning and facing her again. "Oh, and my name is Jerus, Jerus Jericho." I bow again, this one flourished, allowing my sword to be seen on my back and the dagger's hilt from my waist when I stood straight again. "Traveling warrior who's not afraid to work the forges or the fields. And before you ask, my father is a blacksmith in Fletz, where I grew up. And many of my friends were the children of farmers, so I helped tend their fields. Never one to not help a person or animal in need."

"Oh! I would love some!" Salt water taffy seemed like just the thing to help bite back the tears. Who cries while eating sweets after all?
Marmalade took the offered candy and popped it in her mouth. "Mmmm."
She heard Caelyn say something about a nose, but not enough to actually understand d what was going on in her head. She was about to asked Caelyn what she was saying when a knock came at the door. Marmalade exchanged looks with Veragwen and watched the door slide open. There was a young man. He was here for the very same thing they were. To fight that scorpion. Probably a good thing he was late judging from how he looked. Marmalade smirked. These women could probably run circles around this kid.
She had to choke back a laugh as he bowed before them, introducing himself as Jerus. As he continued to talk, she couldn't contain it any longer and doubled over in laughter. It was a good five minutes before she was calm enough to speak.
"I'm sorry!" Was all she was able to get out before starting up again.

Veragwen nodded and smiled a little, "You're about a day late, Jerus....We- well, Mara here technically- defeated the scorpion. The beast took the town with it however....we are all that remain in Seles....and we're on our way out. You're welcome to join us to Bale if you like. Safety in numbers, right? That is, if that's ok with you, of course, Mara...." she said, looking at the woman, who was still in laughing, out of her peripherals.

I look curiously at the laughing woman and realize that I probably looked a tad untrained with how I acted. My smile returning to my face, I nod appreciatively. "If you'll have me, I'll be honored to travel with the people who slew the monster terrorizing the town. It's," my smile disappears as my sentence trails off, the impact of the amount of people now dead hitting me and beginning to sink in. Despite my best try, I couldn't get a smile back on my face and I simply shake my head. "An entire town...what...what happened?"

I couldn't get a grasp on it, how a single monster could take out an entire town, even if it was a scorpion. Sure, their carapace was hard to get through, but everything had a weakness and you'd think an entire garrison of guards and all the mercenaries the reward brought it would have eventually found it before now. Of course, it would seem it was too late by that point. "May God rest them..." I mutter.

"Vera, I don' know, nor am I knowin' if my words'll even be helpin them. But I kno' of death, and a lo' of it too be sure. The main thing I'm findin' is if I DON' say my goodbyes, I am for sure regrettin' it." Her mind flashed back to Kyden, and that damned beast. Not this time tears, she fought them back like she saw Mara do.

She didn't want to go there and her savior came in the form of Mara losing what seemed to be her mind. "Lass, I knowin' that saltwater taffy is good, but it canno' be...". Then Caelyn saw the knight in shining armor whom arrives a day too late arrive. He was gungho and ready to fight. It must have been a combination of Mara's laughing and the obviously clueless man that just arrived, but she absolutely busted out laughing. The weirdest part being when they laughed you could hardly tell it apart. "I'm sorry!", came out in unison and she was all but grateful that Vera could keep it together to answer the gentleman.

Nayash looked at Raena with a surprised face, but didn’t deny the hammer. She however didn’t accept it as she though it would be best for both Veragwen and her to not have the extra weight in her condition.
“Alright thank you… Raena, was it? Can you hold it for me for a while till I get… a bit better.” Then she added “Also thank you for carrying me here.” with an uncomfortable smile at the mention of doughnuts. “a bite of those wouldn’t be too bad.”

Nayash moved with Veragwen as she answered her about her belongings. “You’re right.. Especially in my condition.” She said, but a stone dropped inside her gut. She didn’t feel well with admitting weakness, even though she knew that the woman was right. Then the half merman piped in mentioning muscle memory. It sounded familiar however she wasn’t sure what the term meant exactly. “Perhaps I could use it for support of sorts instead of you, Veragwen?” Nayash proposed at the comment and looked at the both of them. “Either way I don’t feel right to let someone else carry such a high weight weapon on my behalf. And as you say, I believe there’s little to worry about, if you think so. We are a group at least, and you seem confident in protecting ne other, so, Yes im ready to go.”

They headed over towards the door as Nayash suggestion still hung in the air, but they were soon interrupted by a knocking. As a young man appeared in the door opening Nayash frowned slightly. He looked familiar yet acted… unusually properly based on what he was after and what had just happened to the town according to the other women. If he really was a warriror with the intention to slay the beast, he was not prepared at all, as he hadn’t payed attention to his surroundings. But she remained silent and let Veragwen speak for her and the others and ignored the hysterical laughter behind her.