The mage allowed the steadily destabilizing house to turn attention away from him. He wasn't sure what drove him to do what he did previously, but he put the issue out of his mind at the moment to come to a conclusion: the sage could be eliminated later, and possibly through reason with the group, but he was particularly interested in the contents of the wardrobe; he only needed to pay attention to it to feel the enchantments there were stronger than even the enchantments that were creating cracks in the floor around him in what was beginning to resemble an earthquake. He could not open it alone... or could he?

He looked to the talisman in his hand, which was becoming very warm his palm, having not stopped on the house's account in its drawing of surrounding energy. He stood, looking Isabeau, the big man who had charged through the wall, and the halfling who had partially created a path out. The house would fall before they could all get out the door of the supposed cottage; a structure where the space within was no doubt at least partially designed to slow enemies down. Removing the wardrobe on the spot before the house came down to render extraction a complicated affair, or assisting all involved to leave before any casualties resulted.

The mage was practical, but not without conscience.

He channeled the power of the talisman to aid his own skills in shoving the mess almost completely out of the way, enabling a path for the lioness and others to more easily leave the room, and channeled a strong blast of air with wisps of yellow magic into the cottage wall near the doorway, blowing an open hole that quickly filled with rain. Though they were not on the ground floor, he figured he wouldn't burn out both his own energies and the talisman just yet. He countered the house's enchantments with his own mind, a strenuous task; but one he hoped would allow him to keep the house's immediate hallway and the room together long enough to enable a quick exit.

"Leave now," he yelled with a hint of strain in his voice, pointing towards the open hole. "The wind will catch you!" he added, knowing full well that adding th at to his present list of tasks would end poorly if not for his mind, then the golem body that he felt was beginning to lose substance within.

Ajax took stock of the situation, grinning at the sudden apparition of Isabeau before focusing his gaze on the collapsed old crone that had been his host, the rival sorcerer and the wardrobe they both seemed to be most interested in. And he had the key. Lifting a finger towards Isabeau, to tell her to wait but a moment, he somewhat rudely stepped towards what held the lynchpin to this entire situation and somewhat rudely pushed the magus away, though not with any sort of unnecessary force. His disdain for magic was palpable, but this was not the time to pick a fight with a stranger that had done nothing to anger him.

"Excuse me", he said as though he were simply making his way through a crowded street as he pulled the key from his loincloth. It was an old thing and most unassuming, an undecorated piece of iron bearing a few marks of rust. For a split second or less, Ajax felt tempted to discard it and measure his worth. Surely this trunk has been reinforced most heavily, both in a physical and sorcerous way. Could he destroy the enchantments by hand, smash the thing apart and take its contents by force? He so wanted to try, but the situation was not what one would call ideal. Personal satisfaction would have to wait.

The key fit perfectly, good as new, and perhaps the mages saw whatever magic was held in both doing their work, whatever defenses were in place yielding to the other piece of the puzzle. For Ajax it was just opening a wardrobe and removing the one thing he saw, a lovingly leather covering made from sort of blue leather, laden with a script he could not read and secured tightly with a golden cord. Whatever was inside, he could not tell, but as it has been mounted upon some type of altar-like structure, he figured it was what he needed to grab. If not, they were gonna have to do some digging.

He held the bag out for the others to see, gripped so tightly they might rightly fear his grip would crush whatever was inside. "I believe this is important. Shall we leave, then? Someone carry our host, I would rather not put her too near whatever this is".

With a nod of understanding Ionathan made his way out of the room and into the hallway.

“I’ll see you outside, good luck!”

He ran down the hallway only slowing to drop the sword by the suit of armour where the sword came from as he made his way to his room. Bursting through the rooms door Ionathan started to stuff all his equipment into his travel pack, which was not much as he had not brought much equipment with him as he wanted to buy provisions and equipment after he knew what Genevieve had planned for him. It only took a few seconds to get his dining utensils back in their box and into the pack along with a spare set of clothes and his sack of coins that were already in the pack.

While the upper leg guards would fit in the pack, the gambeson and mail however would not, so Ionathan started to don his armour. Fortunately, this was one of the advantages of gambeson and mail, they’re both easy to don without any need for assistance, the gambeson had leather straps running down the centre and the mail could be put on just like a normal shirt. It was always Ionathan’s opinion that although Knights may favour some form of plate armour, for soldiers who have fought on the battlefield, that which keeps them alive is armour enough.

Next he buckled his belt so that it may take some of the armours weight off his shoulders, it was an old soldiers trick that was always popular in the army, on the belt was his sword. Made in celebration of his promotion to Commissioner, this blade had never left Ionathan side when he went out on bandit camp raids and highway patrols. Then he put his heraldic tabard sporting the Hepburnberg coat of arms, a white background with a red lion running rampant. Lastly he donned his Helmet which was tailored just so that the padding inside the helmet positioned his eyes perfectly with the slit in the visor.

Putting on his gloves, holding his shield and slinging the pack over his back, in just a few minutes he now looked like the hero of Waeldeshore that years ago had fought back against the evil that was threatening his home.

By this point the room around him was in utter chaos. The accessories of the room were now mostly on the floor as was the contents of the book case that now lay on its side, worse still was a large hole that had emerged in the celling which had been filled with some large wooden object that was too big to go all the way through.

Deducing that he used up most of his time donning his armour, Ionathan decided that a quicker escape from the collapsing cottage was necessary. Running to Ajax’s room he dropped out of the hole made earlier. As it was not a far drop he landed without issue bending his knees, accompanied by the noise of riveted mail rings striking each other. Stopping only to raise his visor and to get his bearings Ionathan now moved to the front of the house.

Some of the maids had taken cover in a large roofed front of a house where in the day the owner of the house might show his wears. Quick walking over to the roofed doorway Ionathan assured the maids that they were safe and awaited his companions. Relying of his bright coloured tabard to show his position to anyone meeting at the front of the house he watched as the noises from the cottage mixed with the sound of the rain.

@Belwicket @vietmyke @AdamantiumWolf @Zero Hex @The Harbinger of Ferocity @IcePezz

After Ionathan ran past her, Regina watched to see what the others would do for a couple seconds. She didn't stay, however, choosing to follow Ionathan, only to lose him when he entered his room. She slid to a stop, looking around. "What's taking him so long?" she asked, looking at the door. She was about ready to try to knock the door from its hinges, only to see the man open it and run to where Ajax's room was. It was then she saw his idea. She watched as he jumped through the hole in the wall, sticking his landing. She took a few steps back before running, landing with a roll, using her momentum to continue running. She joined Ionathan by the maids, taking the time to rest against the wall. She was soon asleep, snoring softly.

"I believe this is important. Shall we leave, then? Someone carry our host, I would rather not put her too near whatever this is".

Gritting her jaws in the windstorm, the bits of dust and debris whipping around her with some plinking off the scarred breastplate encasing her chest, Sakaala only narrowly managed to hear the titan of a man as he hefted his claimed prize with ease. She nodded, powerful teeth and maw still clenched while she set a tremendous palm to the knap of Lady Genevieve's robes, drawing her up to her feet and then over her shoulder whilst shoving aside bits of the fallen structure; positioning her over the left, she shuddered with a snarly, powerful tone as the torrent of rain set in upon her - of which was further stirred by the golden, wisp filled wind. Soaking her to the bone once again, she paused, but briefly...

With a motion of her head, she beckoned the other arcanist - an ally, for the time being - whilst standing beside the escape he had widened from burst window into tremendous gape in the house.

"I will be awaiting you." She said authoritatively before turning about and stepping off the ledge.

She fell, but the vortex absorbed much, if not all the impact and as she landed, the worst that came with the fall was the jar of the woman she carried; strong arm still wrapped about her as the numb one hung by her waist instead.

@ArenaSnow@Belwicket@IcePezz@Jon Y@vietmyke@Zero Hex

Ajax clutched his prize firmly, fingers a deadly vice. The house, sensing its master riding away on the storm and its most valuable posession in the hands of an unknown while another forced sought to supress it, redoubled its attacks and seeming self destruction with great vigor. Pieces of the walls, floors and roofs erupted in sprays of shrapnel while supporting beams snapped down like fangs, pieces of fabric from tapestries and carpeting animated into slithering tongues and decorative objects morphed into malignant orbs as the structure shook and warped into itself fueled by things Ajax could not understand.

He had half a mind to go to work on the accursed place, as though it were a living, conscious enemy he could force to regret ever messing with him, but it was not the time. With a grunt, Ajax stomped down on a rising plank and tugged violently at one of the long strips of fabric wrapping itself around his arm, intent on tearing it clean off as he turned towards Isabeau. "Looks like we're the only ones left, aside from him. Lets see what all this is about, shall we?" he said as he took a step back then jumped right off the house. Something curious happened to his descent, however.

Rather than being caught by the wind, as the mage had intended, Ajax's body broke right through it and his 300 pound mass careened towards the floor like a catapult's projectile. His powerful legs, and the rain-softened soil, helped break his impact as he landed with a resounding crash and an explosion of mud that sprayed all around. He rolled through the mire himself, to further reduce any ill effects the drop might've had, and quickly bolted to his feet. He was covered in muck head to toe, but he still held the crux of this whole matter in his hand. "Easy come, easy go", he muttered while thinking about his recent bath.

She had given herself away and ran into the room all for nothing, it had seemed. Grumbles and grunts and growls escaped her as she rose to her feet, along with a string of vulgarities. The house was determined to take them all down, and one look at Genevieve told her all that she needed to know.

Taking a brief moment, she gazed upon the old witch, the wrinkled skin riddled with age spots and decay, and the once luxurious head of hair turned dull and grey. Assuming the hat the talisman did this, Isabeau started to wonder the nature of the item, her thoughts returning to the moment atop the hill when the Magi had revealed it. It seemed to only have positive effects on her.

Her thoughts were cut short as the beast woman lifted the frail figure from the floor.

Her own face contorted with a nagging thought. The beast woman had Genevieve, and Ajax had the artifact. She had no doubt that he might have his own agenda, but the feeling of failure trailed down her spine and clutched at her stomach. Despite how well things could go, she knew that this was only the beginning to a long and hard road. A road that would force her to face Regina, something she had been dreading for years now.

Attempting to not be all doom and gloom, she turned to the Magi and muttered "With any luck, this can still go our way."

Reluctantly, she jumped from the window ledge, allowing the vortex to carry her down safely.

Emil managed to keep his balance as the structure beneath them began to rumble- there must have been magic supporting the integrity of this structure. Regardless, Sakaala began ripping open a way out, but not before advising him and Ionathan to reacquire their belongings. Emil had almost pointed out that it was unlikely they'd be able to run back into their rooms to retrieve their belongings in time, but that was before he realized that Sakaala's spell still affected him and that his speed was near surreal. Giving the group a breathless nod, Emil sprung off and barreled towards his bedroom.

Skidding into the room, rapidly, pumping his feet to slow down his momentum, he took a quick stock of his belongings. The shaking of the building had moved them from their previous location, but Emil had piled his armor and arms by the foot of his bed, so they all remained in the relative same area. Emil sighed in frustration- he had a lot of armor pieces, and even with his speed, he was unsure if he'd be able to don all of them before the building fell around him. Emil quickly pulled on his mail shirt and overtunic, and donned his breastplate, clasping the buckles enough to secure them on his person, but not bothering to tighten them around his body. He clasped the armor around his boots, and threw the rest of the armor pieces into a rucksack.

Emil slipped the rucksack over his shoulder, grabbed his sword and shield, and prepared to exit the room. Poking his head out the door, Emil's face paled- he forgot how large this building was, and he wasn't certain the way to the door. Not to mention that the ceiling had already begun collapsing in the hall around him. How was he going to make it to the door without getting crushed by rubble if he didn't know the way? Quickly returning to his room, Emil took a moment looking around. Sprinting to the window, Emil glanced out, and saw the roof of the stables off in the distance below him. Under normal circumstances, that would've been an impossible jump for a human- but Emil had Sakaala's magic powering him.

Steeling himself, Emil whispered an apology and swung his arm forward, using his shield to shatter the window. Taking a few steps back Emil gave himself a running start and dived through the window. Propelled by immense momentum granted to him by magic, Emil watched the ground run underneath him as he tumbled through the air and onto the roof of the stables.

Which were considerably less durable than he thought.

The roof of the stables gave away like paper underneath the momentum of a partially armor knight propelled by magic like a siege weapon. Crashing through the roof, Emil landed with a thud- half embedded within a thick bale of hay. Groaning in pain, Emil gingerly peeled himself out of the hay bale, and popped a dislocated shoulder back into place. Making his way through the stables, picking hay out of his head, Emil found his horse Roark and quickly mounted the steed, whom despite the chaos, seemed perfectly calm.

With a quick kick, Emil guided Roark out to the outskirts of the home, where Ionathan stood waiting with his colorful tabard standing out in the landscape like a beacon. Regina was there as well, and sat dozing off against a wall. Emil gave Ionathan a breathless greeting, taking a moment to catch his breath before he pulled the rest of the armor out of his rucksack and began putting them on.

The mage barely paid any attention to anything beyond waiting for the room to clear out and keeping his golem form from literally melting on the spot, distance from his physical form, magical limitations and the house fighting tooth and nail taking a toll he would be wise to no longer continue. He felt his enchantment fail on at least one person to leave, but there was little he could do about that. All he could think about was how everyone was so damn slow about leaving.

It was finally down to one he could see, even as everything behind his eyes rapidly melted, careful humanoid golem creation turning into goo on the insides while presenting a relatively normal external appearance. He would have told Isabeau something along the lines of "shut up and leave it" if he hadn't been more focused on keeping the weight of the entire house together, an effort that was taxing to his spiritual energy even as he burned his way through the reserves of the talisman. He let go as Isabeau left, removing himself from the golem as all went black.

There was what seemed to be a great roar as the cottage tore itself apart, windows shattering outwards and rooms flattening in on themselves as the structure exacted revenge on the mage that had kept it together for so long. While the magic of the cottage was still very much embedded in the new ruin, the magic of the mage was not; all that remained of his presence was the distinct odd feeling of the yellow talisman now buried within the wreckage.

The cacophony of the collapsing dwelling just beyond filled the air with an unnatural shuddering that was not associated with the pattering rain fall or the dripping, really pouring water that ran down the seasoned warrior's armored cjest; torn robe drenched and heavy now, was concealed in part only by the figure of the aged, greyed woman she brandished over her shoulder. There was little care or hesitation in her next action, for the moment Isabeau's feet splashed into the water washed churned mud, the sizable figure turned about with a blur - managing to have drawn the fierce elven blade in a single motion from her back. The deathly edge challenged the woman as it rested straight out; not even the slightest of give in the beast woman's arm... that of which could not feel sensation, not even fatigue.

"You." The animal jaws parted, rainwater running down the edges and over the exposed, whitened fangs.

More glass bent, broke and exploded inward as the last of the house consumed itself while the thundering of hooves and the sky above kept on. Both eyes, blind and sighted, shifted for a moment, assessing their numbers on each front - Regina Hills survived, as did Sir Hepburnberg and clearly Sir Erran atop a steed. Diagorides, soaked in mud, still clenched his prize in a mighty hand but was not so much as bloodied or even out of breath. The only one unaccounted for was the invading mage himself, but the old huntress doubted a wizard of that power was truly lost.

Shifting slightly her stance, she balanced Lady Genevieve's drenched body as the effects of the hastening spell faded from her leonine figure.

"I care not really for which you choose, but explain yourself or leave. I am done with these games brought on by the words of mere men, and more importantly, your quarry is ours." She snarled in her husky tone, the weapon level and not giving in the slightest - readied to action.

Everything in her demeanor was a marked deterrent and the chaos of the past few minutes tried her patience with mortals as a whole. They wielded the magic they had all just witnessed with such wild abandon that she was still impressed to this day not more of them had paid with their lives. And this "witchling", "assassin", or what have you, she only further convinced the monster of a woman that enough was enough. Either she and her new band were taking their employer away from here - with good reason - or the Order's agents were to explained themselves why not.

"So I advise you choose your next action most wisely." She leaned her head in at an angle, soaking ears flat to her skull.

@ArenaSnow@Belwicket@IcePezz@Jon Y@vietmyke@Zero Hex

What staff there actually were, found themselves quickly out of harms way. Standing side by side to those who were summoned guests just hours earlier. But to any who may have paid attention to the faces of those gathered, several were missing. The brunette who showed them in and later led them upstairs to their quarters, several of the maids who had brought the travelers food and drink. And lastly, the young woman who had led Diagorides to the secret passage. None of their faces were among those who had escaped. There should have been time for all living beings to flee the house before it fell, yet those crucial faces were not among the survivors. Had the house gobbled them up as well?

Isabeau landed softly on her feet, despite the impact her heels made in the ground. Within an instant of her land, there was a blade angled at her throat. She should have expected as much, but the truth of it was, her thoughts were on everyone else. She had never met the beast woman before, though her experience back in Waeldeshore taught her never to underestimate. What could she possibly say though, to gain this woman's trust?

She might have answered, she would have answered. But the moment she opened her mouth to do so, the entire house gave way and collapsed into a heaping pile of rubble and soot. A large crash shook the ground, and distracted them all long enough for Isabeau to turn her thoughts to other things. She wasn't much worried about the Magi, she knew he wasn't truly there. But there was one thing that did stick out in her mind ... the talisman.

Turning her back on such a beast just might be a very big mistake, but she did it anyway. However, she indulged an answer as she moved about the rubble. "She was using you all.", she stole a glance at Ajax before continuing, "Even the blind can see, the woman is downright sinister." She stepped closer to the splintered wooden planks and large stone boulders. "I would keep a safe distance away from that stone, good sir.", pointing towards the prize that Ajax clutched so dear. "It would make even the most noble of men turn into greedy, wretched little green goblins.

She looked up at the sky, then gazed around the rubble, lifting piece by piece, sifting around what she could see in the dark. It was here, she knew it was. Standing among the ruin, she could feel it. "I am not the one responsible for this, though I doubt you would care. But I am sure it would be interesting to know that it was your host herself who caused the house to come down. And look at her now, enchantments of youth washed away ...." The pull the artifact had on her was intoxicating, which was dangerous in itself. But she couldn't just leave it there, not when anyone else could find it if they looked. It was near, and it was buried well. She was waste deep in the wreckage of the once tall house, and would have spent all night there looking if she had to. She pondered a moment ... Would it be so horrible of me to ask for help?. She wouldn't dare it though, not just yet. "I had only come to warn you, and to retrieve what is in that box." she shouted to them all, disappearing into the darkness of the fallen structure. Shards of glass could be heard cracking beneath her heel, planks of wood shuffled around, and she grunted and growled as she tried with all of her might to move the large stones out of her way.

Ajax palmed some of the mud off himself, watching with obvious interest as the manor finally collapsed atop himself while Isabeau was held at swordpoint by Skaala. He was, in many ways, a very simple man and still derived enjoyment from meaningless, wanton destruction even when he wasn't causing it. His life had been truly chaotic, it was all he knew by this point and he felt very comfortable in it. He shrugged his shoulders at the whole situation, still making sure to grasp whatever it was he had taken out of the house quite firmly. Nobody was going to be pulling any fast ones on him, and he'd be getting rid of it soon enough.

"Far be it from me to be overly trusting, which is exactly why I have to agree with the woman", he turned to the group and cocked an eyebrow. "You all didn't really trust our host...did you? With that talk about bringing her the heads of her enemies and the arcane artifacts and clear obsession...". He didn't know what to say beyond that. He thought it self-evident, but maybe their prior adventures didn't let them see the obvious? Even then, he figured the beastwoman would know better. "I mean look at her now. I don't know about you but I don't particularly trust someone that deceives me with glamours".

And then it hit him, something wasn't adding up. "No, wait, get back here woman" he said firmly at Isabeau. He was starting to get tired of this whole thing. "You came to retrieve something. I thought that something was whatever it is I'm holding. It'll turn me into a wretched little goblin you said, though honestly I rather doubt it". He squeezed the stone in his grip even tighter, as if he considered trying to crush it with his hand alone, before giving it a rest.

"Yes, Diagorides, I am more than aware the woman is mad beyond her years - addled by the power her and other mortals think they can contain, let alone wield." She spared the burly man her scornful gaze because of his obvious skepticism in the whole matter, well evidenced throughout this night from the start, "One of many reasons I dared not agree to what it was she wished us to, but I swore to hunt this 'demon' and to that end I will."

"No, wait, get back here woman."

The man interjected appropriately before the swordswoman stepped in to on her own. This was tiresome and she was having none of it anymore; unburdening her shoulder from the paled figure of Lady Genevieve, she set the woman down upon her side. Storm and mud or not, she could care less because the other enemy seemed to have an objective remaining and was less than cooperative. What little was clear on this storm wracked night was that the human was clearly indifferent to the threat of death; an entire group of adventurers ranging from battle hardened knights, experienced mercenaries and psionically gifted smallfolk, the last of which undoubtedly would soon be calling for her blood.

"So help me, if you take another step I will not be so polite - I will be as vicious a monster as I appear." Sakaala's lips quivered with the restrained anger of a queen insulted; the raw audacity this woman had to think herself able to speak to them in such a manner as though everything she had just said was not plainly evident by itself.

"Your warning came far too late and even now you clearly preoccupy yourself with other matters." The blade shook slightly before she steadied it with the other hand, water careening down its silvery steel, dripping over the tightly bound handguard and her massive pawed hands.

"Clear and concise, explain yourself... or leave."

There was going to be no warning after that; the ultimatum was set and lengthy tales were not going to do her well.

@ArenaSnow@Belwicket@IcePezz@Jon Y@vietmyke@Zero Hex

She took one step further in the rubble before stopping with an audible sigh. The rain was crawling to a halt and by this time seemed only a light drizzle. She pulled down her hood and stared up at the beast woman, her face twisted in contemplation.

"Well ... it all started on a sunny aftertoon in the town of Waeldeshore ...", her words dripped with sarcasm and a smirk tugged at the edge of her lips. But for only just a moment. "What is it that you're looking for? What do you want me to say? Do you want me to tell you how many years ago we had acquired that very stone for your dear hostess.", she pointed to the prize Ajax held onto proudly."And how it corrupted her, and turned her soul green with envy, black with greed and a bottomless appetite to feed. She had sent me to find the third and final key. It started out as a wild goose chase. But I found it alright. And when I returned to share my findings, she nearly cut me in two. So when I refused any additional information, I was a guest in her dungeons for days ... until I was able to escape of course. I seek to destroy the damn things, but it turns out, it is not as easy as one might think. And when the wench decides to gather a group to take back what I had stolen, well, apparently I'm supposed to just sit back and let you come and kill me."

She turned once more, returning to her search for the artifact. "I do hope that is a sufficient explanation, if not, I'm not sure what else to tell you. The demons do exist, and they are certainly a nasty bunch. But the theory is that if we are able to destroy the stones, it will eliminate any passage between realms. So once we eliminate the demons, there is no coming back.", she continued to ramble on while sifting through the ruins. "But when" she grunted, the color draining from her as she used whatever strength she had left to lift the stones in her way, "does anything go as planned"

She glanced up, her eyes resting on the beast woman for a moment, noting any reaction, then turned to Ajax. "Hey handsome, you mind helping me with this? It seems my friend dropped his amulet on his way out. I would like very much to give it back to him, but I can't seem to get it with all of this in my way." She leaned on a nearby boulder, exhausted, she claimed defeat in the battle against the immovable object.

@vietmyke @Zero Hex @ArenaSnow @Belwicket @Jon Y @The Harbinger of Ferocity

Emil had finished donning the rest of his armor, as the house collapsed. Now secure in his protective armor, Emil felt more confident and equipped to handle the challenges to come. Unlike dress-armor the Edessan knights used for ceremony, Emil's battle armor a dull pale blue with little gloss and reflected little light. His armor clinked slightly as he moved, the chainmail underneath his tunic and armor rustling against itself as he rode forward to meet Sakaala and Ajax, whom, despite the rain and mud, were unmaimed. Not that Emil worried too much about their safety, for Ajax and Sakaala seemed to be by far some of the most durable and mettled of their merry little group.

Sakaala bore with her Lady Genevieve, and Ajax bore with him a small sack- bearing some sort of rigid object of importance that seemed to be the root of a majority of their troubles. Ajax seemed prepare to crush the contents of the magical sack in his fist, and Emil, as wary as he was with magic, was tempted to agree with the man. Alongside them was another woman, whom was immediately threatened by both Sakaala and Ajax, one wielding blade, and the other wielding, well, himself. Despite the threat of two powerful beings, the woman appeared unperturbed, turning her back not once, but twice on Sakaala and spoke in story even when prompted to speak clearly.

"She does not appear to be very good at following instructions." Emil mused aloud as he reached Sakaala and Ajax. "I also agree that Lady Genevieve appears- appeared... unwell- and not just because she's currently indisposed." Emil was quiet, still reluctant to fully believe that one of the legends of Waeldeshore had been completely corrupted. But of course, legends were at their heart just stories- the Halfling, while possessing powerful control in her own right was neither tall nor messianic as the story suggested, and was infact rather flighty and aggressive. Even Sir Hepenburg, while still deserving of all his respect did not match the stately, regal figure that the stories portrayed him to be.

Emil too rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, if Sakaala was ready to bear her blade on the woman, she must have had some degree of threat about her.

"She sure enjoys her dramatic flair, to say the least" Emil added, "And as much as I enjoy stories, I too would like some specificity in regards to this dark artifact. However, with everything being said, would it not be simpler to have Ajax just crush the thing in his hands? He definitely appears capable of such a feat."

Nodding to Emil as he closed with his horse, Ionathan watched as the house collapsed, wondering how many priceless valuables were now buried under the rubble and if all had got out in time. As expected he saw that Isabeau was unharmed and so was the rest of the group. The sight of Sakaala’s blade raised against Isabeau made the guardsman smirk, it seemed that Isabeau’s temper must have improved since Waeldeshore. In normal circumstances Ionathan would have waded into the conversation to defuse the situation but he knew that she could handle herself.

"You all didn't really trust our host...did you?”

“I had no reason to doubt my trust in her, she aided my people, saving hundreds of lives.”

This question did raise some self-conscious thoughts in his head. Perhaps his trust in people made him naive, a foolish thing to be considering his past experiences. While the others instantly cast doubts on her it took the world of Isabeau for him to begin to see a different side of Genevieve.

"No, wait, get back here woman"

The guardsman sighed, that was no way to begin a conversation. As he looked on at the groups barrage of questions and Isabeau’s snide remark. He noticed that the staff were still hanging around. He wanted to see if any of the staff new about Genevieve’s corruption.
Placing his bag and helmet by the wall he walked up to the band of staff.

“Commissioner Hepburnberg of the Waeldeshoreian guard” he said in a clear voice, showing his badge of office to the staff.

“Firstly I would like to say that I am sorry for your loss, this must be devastating for you all but I’m afraid it is my duty to clear up a few things before you go.”

Ionathan went on to ask; how they were recruited to being staff, what went on in a normal day, any strange things that their employer did and what was Genevieve like as an employer. Ionathan listens with his educated as experienced ear. Glancing back at the group from time to time to make sure that things to not escalate.

@Belwicket @vietmyke @AdamantiumWolf @Zero Hex @The Harbinger of Ferocity @IcePezz

"Things are quite clear now, yes. Clear enough at least. When you say you're looking for another artifact in the ruins, people might get the wrong idea you see". What the woman sought in the ruins was not of any particular concern for him, merely an instrument of her ally, and he held the most important piece of the puzzle still. What do with it, what to do with it. The temptation to simply grind it to dust was there, but he realized it was most certainly not a smart route to take. Who knew what might come from the destruction of such a thing. He much preferred to steer clear from matters of sorcery.

He shook his head at the young squire. "I'd rather not crush something that might explode in my hands. That I can take it doesn't make it any less pleasant, and things are never so simple where witchery is concerned". He raised the bag up to his eyes, as though he might gleam some sort of information from it, and when he didn't he simply shrugged. "So, say I get your friend's trinket back from there. What's the plan then? With this and with her", he spared a glance at Genevieve lying most ungracefully outside what had once been her home. "I don't like loose ends. And speaking of, someone should tie the lady up. And possibly gag her as well".

"Even more arrogant and prideful than I imagined." The old Huntress' expression was still narrowed at the sight of the woman's smirk, as subtle as it was pulling at her lips.

The disdain she had for men, even women, of such qualities was as saturating as the rainwater was. It was clear she had a vendetta, a long standing one that had pooled and settled in the depths of her soul. Certainly not unjust, as even by the standards of combat the woman before them was fortunate; they could just have easily engaged her without warning the moment her back was turned. But Sakaala was not that, not the same thing she loathed. If she were going to strike down this assassin, she would make it swift, but not without warning.

"She does not appear to be very good at following instructions." The young knight's voice came as both he and steed approached, hooves clomping through the mud until he came to a halt, continuing on after about Lady Genevieve who had remained quite still where she was, drenched and cold. The leonine woman was just as drenched and cold, as were her compatriots; fair was fair.

A deep breath expelled itself from her flaring nostrils as she eased some, keen ears listening as he continued on;

"... would it not be simpler to have Ajax just crush the thing in his hands? He definitely appears capable of such a feat."

She would have disagreed, but Diagorides had already done so before she could speak. Wizardry, especially its darker forms, seldom was so easily destroyed by force alone without enacting some terrible form of revenge. Losing his hands was perhaps the least such a thing could do, but the beast-woman was certain some sort of curse related to the thing was far, far more likely. It could be subtle or bombastic in its presence, but any circumstance was bound to come with ill tidings.

"You, like most of your lot, speak too much on things that do not matter." She withdrew the sword, holding it in a place of calm within the stronger of her two sizable hands.

Neither her eyes or words left the woman as she picked and pecked through the rubble, searching for the enchanted trinket. She did not dare make an offer to find it, as easily as her inborn magic could have; she would let the woman do the work the hard way, leaving Diagorides to help her if he so wished. The woman had lost any respect that the ranger could have had for her and it begged her, truly so, to just finish her earlier hunt and be done with it. Yet, for all of her animal qualities, she was not an animal.

Isabeau had indeed answered the question, sparing her life. For now.

Great pawed feet turning, she left the huge man with a look, an expression that suggested nothing but disdain for this "witchling".

"Do not hesitate to kill her if need be." She continued after her brief moment of pause, "Not that I doubt you would."

With that, she passed by the Edessan knight upon his steed, proving to kneel beside the unconscious figure that lay so unceremoniously in the wet grass and pounded by rain. The tatters of her robe dirtying themselves, she began to tear asunder a sleeve of the fallen wizard with a claw; the razor-like sharpness of the talon tearing through it with an audible ripping of fabric. It only became more clear that the scarred beastly figure did not carry manacles or anything of the sort.

She was a hunter, through and though...

... and hunters do not capture their quarry.

@ArenaSnow@Belwicket@IcePezz@Jon Y@vietmyke@Zero Hex

She ignored the beastly woman as much as she could, and tried with all her might not to bare teeth as she spouted orders.

"Do not hesitate to kill her if need be."

Isabeau was indeed stubborn and proud, arrogant at times, and being direct was never a strong suit, but she had lost all respect for the beast woman the moment she raised her sword to her. Granted, she couldn't quite blame them for being suspicious and distrusting of her. She could only imagine what Genevieve had told them. And she herself was very distrusting of others, so to hold that against the woman would have been hypocritical. But there was something about it all, something that set the woman apart from the rest, something that just didn't sit right with Izzy.

She rolled her shoulders, shaking off any thoughts of stabbing the woman right then and there and turned her attention back to Ajax. "As for her, I had no plans for her. I just wanted her stopped. Which I think we can all say has been successful ... if I wanted her dead, I would've killed her a long time ago.", she exhaled deeply before continuing. "I'm not sure you could crush it, even if you tried. Not down to the core at least. I'm not much of a bookworm, but I've done more studying on that stone than I would care to admit. However, I can think of someone who -may- have answers on that front. Rumors are all that I've heard, but that is where I travel next. Because whether or not I like it, I've stuck with this war for 25 years, and wish to see it concluded before it consumes us all.", her eyes lingered over to Sakaala once more. There was such conviction in her voice, her skin paled as each muscle clenched, lines etched in her forehead as her brows wrinkled and she stared at the woman with daggers shooting through her eyes.

She may have spoke about things that didn't matter to the beast. But they mattered to her. She had seen many evils in her time, but none the likes of Zargon and his band. The sheer dark power they displayed, the destruction and chaos. At one point in her life she may have been tempted by such a darkness; it was a time when her ledger overflowed with blood, some innocent, others not much so. But now, she just wanted peace ... she was beginning to think if such a think were possible, it would only be in death.

"I am not asking you to come with me, but I will need that stone. Kill me now if you wish. Let the demons come and wipe out this world. While some of you may survive, you may even kill a few, it will be of no use. Their supply is endless and their power is great. And they will continue to come as long as the breach remains open."

@ArenaSnow @Belwicket @Jon Y @vietmyke @Zero Hex @The Harbinger of Ferocity

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Ionathan's questions fell on deaf ears for the most part. They all seemed scared stiff. Except one, the strange fellow that had been sent to fetch them all. His voice was quieted by the rain and rabble of the rest of the group. He held no love or loyalty to his former employer, and spoke openly of the harsh treatments they had all been subject to.

He went on to describe Genevieve as a crazy old wench, sick with her own obsessions. In the early days, when she had settled in the town, there had been some who quietly left their stations. Stories were leaked that they snuck out in the middle of the night, hidden in the shadows. But some would argue that their bodies never left the cottage and were shoved in holes somewhere. The very next day, new faces popped up within the service lines. It was no wonder that their faces hadn't appeared among those who lined the streets now, soaked and scared. The man had went on to tell the stories he himself had been privy to. They were lifeless bodies, animated by the wench herself, born out of the ashes of her magic.

"I - I dunn' kno abou demons an all ... but sh-she was evil!"

@Jon Y

Regina stood in a field of pink flowers, watching a pair of warriors battle. The warriors she recognized were Sakaala and Ajax. She knew not why they were fighting but knew it had to be important if they were truly going all out, as they seemed. To her left, Isabeau laid dead. When she saw her body, she felt no joy, only sorrow and anger. To her right, her oriental lover that had disappeared on her, wrapped in chains, crying. When she turned around, she saw Genevieve sitting on a black throne, her glare evil. She saw then that this dream was an omen. She saw the path she was heading down was dark and dangerous and knew she would have to change her ways. It wouldn't be easy but she made a promise to herself then and there. She looked back up at the battle, only to see both Sakaala and Ajax leaping for her.

Regina awoke with a start, breathing heavy. Looking around, she saw the ruined house, a group of people not far from it, and closer, Ionathon speaking with the maids and servants. The rain had stopped, or at least lightened up, and she felt awake enough to move, as long as she kept herself from her psionics. She stood shakily and stretched, soon beginning to walk towards the destroyed building, stopping as she heard the man say cruel things about the woman that had hired them. She listened to the conversation discretely, continuing once he had heard enough.

She knew Sakaala was talking to someone but she couldn't see who was in the rubble. "What's going on up there?" Regina asked, stopping beside the beast woman. "Found a survivor or something?" she asked, looking up at her. "Ajax trying to dig them out?" She didn't wait for an answer before trying to climb in, knowing Sakaala could, and thinking she probably would, pull the halfling out with barely any strength. Without her Psionics, Regina felt weak and vulnerable, though she tried not to show it. She didn't even think if anyone would notice her trying to climb into the mess rather than float in as she usually did.