_"How long ago was that? Smells infected, I suppose you should let it, eh, her look at it," Korick said motioning towards Batch, " Greetings Miss, uhm, what exactly are you then."_ Batche beamed, she enjoyed meeting new people, they were always so nice. So confused, so simple. You'd think after meeting a few they'd get a bit boring but they were always a bit different and a bit special in there own little way. Probably why Master travelled so frequently, there were no new people in our home. They talked of forces beyond Batche's comprehension, of Gods and of ominious sensations. Her inablity to feel such things didn't worry her, but her inablity to take part in such a conversation did, no amount of study had ever helped. What she did know though was to curtsy to those who came in the name of higher beings; respect for others and their beliefs regardless if she could comprehend them or not, was paramount to getting on with such people. Fixing up the knight was going to a great bonding moment to start their journey, already in her debt he'd valiantly help her complete this mission and maybe more if she keeps up this friendliness. Everyone else will feel more comfortable around her too now they know she isn't a compassionless machine. It was sizing up to be a valuable use of her time already. _"On second thought i think i will be fine, thank you for the offer though... I think i shall go for a walk."_ The plan was falling apart aready. "But the fast induction of coagulation closes the wound quickly, Sire and its only mean to be excruitatingly painful while the antiseptic components ameliorate any infectious tissue, you could take it off in a matter of minutes! 45 minutes to be ex- Oh he's gone already..." Slightly deflated but by no means defeated, Batche returned to her first question. "I'm warforged, but I've been manufactured to be of greater benefit to my companions than simply brawn, I'm competent in many falcuties, not the least of which is my understanding herbology and first aid. I hope to be of much assistance on our expedition, Mister Korick."

"Falconrest's smith can fix a shoe, but I'll tell you it will take more than a new shoe for him to be galloping again, the hoof will need time to heal. I'll wait a bit longer to make sure everyone is here to explain things, I'm not fond of repeating myself." Korick said to Lily as he hopped his to inspect the hoof of Arafear, " Looks pretty clean, should heal nicely if you lay off him and let him rest, don't suppose you'd consider leaving him behind? I have a friend coming who can take him somewhere safe and keep him stabled." He couldn't help but notice Larris excusing himself, "Odd one he is." He muttered, wondering what kind of man changes his mind with a wound like that. He chose to focus on something else at the moment, "Warforged? Never heard of that sort of Golem, but I'll be glad to have you here, let's go join Vis by the fire, anyone else who is coming should be able to see a group this size."

Lily fell into step beside Korick. "I had a feeling as much. Gabriel trusts you, and if you trust your friend, I'll be satisfied with him watching after Arafaer." She glanced over her shoulder at the distant form of the man in armor, her brow furrowed. "Who is that man? Something about him is...not right." She didn't expect any arguments on that point, between the hobo's bird freaking out and the persistent stench.

Between the paladin's panicked dismissal, and the halfling's stinging question, Lamont found himself a little stuck in disbelief as the group began moving closer to land. "Y-yeah...uh...Amaya...was away on another job...And our mom...basically kicked me out so I could do this job..." He was basically mumbling this to Korick's back, as he was already far off the pier. His hesitant rebuttal was dripping with disappointment. Sheeva, meanwhile, kept an hawkeyed glare on the knight practically running from the docks. "SCREEEEAW! (_That man was clearly not alive! How did you not smell that?!_)" She screeched, breaking Lammy from his lamenting. "I caught the smell, I just didn't think...I mean, he wasn't lunging for anyone's throats...I figured maybe he had fought some zombies before meeting us!" He sheepishly replied as he made his trudge of shame back to the shore. Seemed Sheeva wasn't just being paranoid, as Lammy could overhear the female knight expressing her own suspicions about the fellow. "Y'think so? Sheev said the guy might be an undead. But that can't be right...can it?" He queried, his expression equal parts unsure and uneasy.

"A Death Knight." Lily's voice was as steady as steel and as cold as ice, which sent a thrill of pride through her that belied the chill running through her guts. Was she ready to face a threat of that magnitude? It seemed the most probable explanation for him, the armor and symbols and his own words suggested he was a Paladin, which could only mean that. Death Knights were a terrible, greatly feared enemy, and the Knights of the Triad had tales of the horror and suffering brought at their hands, the nightmare of facing one of your brother or sister knights in battle, now twisted into a foul monster. "We should confront the monster before we proceed. Do what is necessary."

"His energies while disquieting certainly, should not automatically mark him for death. Should he become a threat, we will do as we must to protect the people. So far he has shown no signs of being a threat, while that does not place him above a watchful eye, it should stay our blades for the time being." Eranah gave her council, while she had been able to place the source of her troubled feeling as it looked her right in the eye it had not reacted as one would expect of a mindless undead killing machine. It had laughed and simply brushed it off. Nothing in her training or experience had prepared her for such a reaction. "In fact, the creature has been nothing but friendly if apprehensive. It has not reacted as any undead I have seen or heard of before. There may even be hope we could find a way to at the very least halt any deterioration of its condition."

> "Warforged? Never heard of that sort of Golem, but I'll be glad to have you here, let's go join Vis by the fire, anyone else who is coming should be able to see a group this size." "I too am glad to be here and I hereby accept your invitation of your and Vis' companionship by the fire, I do wish to learn more of our mission and how you come to acquire such a large bear. Maybe I could explain to you the subtle differences between Golems and Warforged, if such a thing wouldn't bore you?" As they walked the topic of conversation behind her turned to dark things. >"We should confront the monster before we proceed. Do what is necessary." There was increasing mistrust for the the injured knight. People were voicing their concerns, calling for more than inquiry, an inquistion to be precise. Whether they were right or not was not much of a problem, whether they were right or not to be suspicious, that was truly dangerous. Exorcising the unholy from the group would be a slippery slope, what are the druid's intentions? Can he truly be trusted to do what is good for the party, what happens when his true master calls? What of the Machine who finds herself here with her little stories and disarming features? A trap no less! Batche mulled over her options. Defending the poor soul would certainly draw ungarnered attention to her, attention she was not yet ready to dispense of. Agreeing with the motion could do much the same, this was very much a question of the heart, something they had not yet learnt she possessed. A deflection, a proposed change in the motion was her only conversational tactic left, one that wouldn't make her friends in the long run but at least would keep her safe, maybe even keep the injured knight safe too. This was going to be rough, but it was her best shot at not being vilified for wrong intentions. >"His energies while disquieting certainly, should not automatically mark him for death. Should he become a threat, we will do as we must to protect the people. So far he has shown no signs of being a threat, while that does not place him above a watchful eye, it should stay our blades for the time being." Batches hesitation had saved her, there really was a time and place for her to speak up. They weren't all out for blood, there was someone to champion her path to acceptance and safety, if she could protect the undead from the wrath of a paladin, Batche hadn't much to fear. She chimed in, if only to gently support the position of careful consideration. "You are truly are blessed with Ilmater's understanding and compassion, Cleric."

"I hadn't intended to destroy him. I'm prepared for that option, but I would prefer not to. If he is indeed a Death Knight he is a terrible foe." She shifted her footing, adjusting the sword at her side. "But he must be confronted, and must confess the truth." Lily sighed, looking over her shoulder. "If we are to travel together, we must be able to trust one another. If he cannot or will not tell us this, he has no place in our company, and leaving the Undead in our wake, their threat uncertain..." She shook her head. "It is not an option."

"SQUAW! (_Hear hear!_)" Sheeva agreed with the lady paladin, with a quick flap of her wings for added support. If someone would've given the word in that brief moment, she would've took off right for the guy. "Now now Sheev, no need to be out for blood just yet." Lamont calmed her to the best of his ability. "But yeah, I agree. I mean, the guy didn't outright attack us, which is why I doubted Sheeva. But if he is truly undead...then...well..." He overlooked the options. He honestly didn't feel prepared to take a life so maliciously. But, choices had to be made. "...Yeah. I'm with you, Lady Paladin. If it has to be done...if we have to fight, then i'll fight." He replied with hesitation.

"We'll wait for him to come back, if it takes longer than an hour I'll track him down." Korick announced hoping to end the discussion before people started sharpening stakes. If Larris was undead then he couldn't simply let him walk away, there was still a chance one of his letters had been intercepted by those who were working with the devils and sent a double agent, though certainly they'd try harder than that. When they reached the fire pit he was glad to see Vis already had a fire going, even though it was the middle of summer the recent storm and lake air kept this place unseasonable cool. As he found himself a place to sit, Beth lay herself behind him allowing Korick to rest his back on her flank. He retrieved his pipe and began reloading the bowl, as he asked a question to take peoples minds off of Larris, "So how have you found the roads? I haven't been out of the moors for a few months."

"Please, call me Lily. Lady Paladin is my father." Lily said on a reflex, an impish grin crossing her face before she returned to her prior solemnity. "The road from Daggerford was adequate until about thirty miles out, then it was gone. It looked as though a heavy rain had turned most of it to dust, otherwise I would have arrived days ago. Hopefully it was the will of Gods on our side that I was delayed, but I fear we aren't that lucky." Lily's horse approached the squawking bird and sniffed at her. *"Hello! I am Arafaer! Are you a bird? I am a horse. I hurt my foot on the rock. Do you know where good grass is? I am hungry. I like grass."*

Vis' kept his eyes on the fire, listening to the conversations around him and trying to pick up bits and bobs that might be useful. "tha roadth have been fairly quiet," he said, chastising himself internally about his voice, "but all it taketh ith one perthon to ruin your day." he brushed his Gand over his tattered left ear and smoothing his hair back afterwards. Vis adjusted his scarf so that it wouldn't fall off of his face, he found the missing chunk of cheek unpleasant and so would others.

With that simple quip, Lammy's uncertainties were lifted from his shoulders. He gave an quiet, yet appreciative chortle at Lily's ribbing, and used it to move away from the thoughts of putting a man down in cold blood. As he had realized she had just introduced herself to him, he only felt best to return the favor. "Well then, i'm Lamont. Or Lammy." Not once did he think that she might've heard him when he introduced himself earlier. Accidental redundancy was a trait of his. Opinions on the condition of the roads came into question, and the druid only felt he should insert his two cents into the subject. "Didn't have to deal with the roads. I flew here." He stated quite plainly, wondering if anyone (other than the bear, probably) saw him transform. Sheeva looked on as she was addressed by Lily's horse. It's speech may've been hasty and clumsy (and would no doubt grow in annoyance as time would pass), but there were at least one thing the two animals could agree on. "CAHW! (_I'm hungry as well. Lammy, we should find food soon._)" She chirped, and ruffled her wings. "Alright, we will. Just sit tight for now, okay?" He replied.

Larris eventually rejoined the group around the fire and sat a good distance away from the fire but close enough to the group to hear stories, there was a time he would of felt the warmth of the fire or the bitterness of the cold but now that was a distant memory, he needed to tell them about what he was, he already suspected at least the hawk was onto him but he kept quiet perhaps by nightfall when his amulet was working he could pass it off as just the swamp. He sighed audibly and look down avoiding eye contact with his companions, he made up his mind to try to avoid telling them if at all possible. If they came to the conclusion on their own means he would tell them, but he didn't expect them to show him any mercy if anything he probably wouldn't be leaving here intact. *"Feed."* The voice said, it was weak almost like it was fading but still the urge was strong enough like a ravenous beast that had been caged for to long. *"I have to maintain control At least until i part with them."* Larris thought, shifting uncomfortably Larris spoke. "So i know the halflings name, but i don't recall the rest of you telling me yours may i know them?"

Markul looked at the group with interest for there were many different people here, the Warforged was of especial interest to Markul, and though the discussion of the the knight was somewhat disquieting, he knew that even those who were often marked for ill could bring great good. He knew of quite a few instances where those who most would have called evil were given a chance to good and had taken it. The knight returned from his walk, and then requested for an introduction from everyone. Markul stood and nodded, "I am Markul Ferrn," he said loud enough so all could here, "if you wish you may call me Mark, it makes little difference to me. I am a wizard who specializes in evocation." he sat back down. A little brusque perhaps, but it needn't be anything else.

"Lily Beckett, Knight of the Order of the Triad and Paladin of Torm." She said to the other warrior, her voice cold and her eyes locked on him. "Show your face, warrior. You bear the symbol of Ilmater, but I sense none of his light on you. Only black magic." She rested her hand on the hilt of her sword. "How came you by Korick's message?"

"Vith," Vis lisped, "Vith Thtarkweather." by this point his frustration had become so intense he was numb and didn't really care for the sound of his voice, instead he adjusted his scarf once more, wary about it falling off and showing his scar. Digging into his bag to find a distraction, he pulled out the child's encyclopedia, his mother had given it to him before he left so he could practice reading, though he hadn't touched it in a while, he'd rather read than try and fail at talking. Vis opened it up on a random page and started reading, slowly forming the letters ok the page into words in his mind, occasionally mumbling some of the harder ones. Incidentally, as he was reading his bag had fallen over and some of his gear had tumbled out onto the floor, among them his teddy. He reached for it, hoping no one would notice it.

One by one his companions introduced themselves but the female paladin Lily reached for her blade and demanded answers, larris' hand shot to his blade to defend himself, he realized this and he took his hand off and instead put it on the edge of his helmet and lifted it off his head. In the rays of sunlight it revealed him for what he truly was and that is well dead. "Now my appearance might frighten some, but my intentions are still noble i assure you." He said calmly putting his helmet back on. "I still have work to do yet and if you stay your blade i can help you." He continued

"A foul heart can still speak fair words. Explain yourself." She bit off the 'Abomination' at the end of the sentence, but only just. A pale light gathered at her hands as she reflexively prepared the power to repulse and destroy the Dead. She drew it back, holding it at bay. The Warrior wouldn't be revealing himself only to begin combat, not in this situation - he was outnumbered, facing a considerable amount of mystic might, along with her own martial prowess. It might be that he could best them, but by his behavior she doubted it.

"Answer her question Larris," Korick commanded sternly, though not yet abandoning his seat, "How did you know to come here, do not simply assume I'm willing to accept your promise of good will and over look the fact your are undead." He then rose to his feet, clenching his pipe between his teeth. Beth got up with him, standing behind him. Now that he knew the truth of Larris's condition he had to be certain he could be trusted before he would take a step further.