The party stayed in an inn overnight, on the other side of Helsend in the Dull Axe Inn. Dull Axe was drafty, but cozy. More importantly, however, it was peaceful. The forest loomed over everyone all throughout the night, yet no threat ever came. No monster leapt across the town to strike out at them. It was a miracle that they managed to find a place to stay at such an hour. Just as everyone had shut themselves in that night, so to did the Dull Axe, it almost took a fight to convince the innkeeper to let them in so late. Now, though, the sun was up. It was a new day, perfect for doing the usual things a band of adventurous and flighty adventurers would do. One could only hope Neith’s tailbone wasn’t shattered, or Micah’s mind shaken from Tolan’s visions...A rooster crowed as the sun rose, almost as if telling everyone in Helsend that it was safe to come out...

People were already poking their heads out of their houses by the time the adventurers awoke upstairs, across their rooms which were conveniently nearby.

@Blizz

Micah Aarseth

Micah had a strange night; this night’s dream was quite special because of his experiences with Tolan. In this dream he was present with Tolan and his master; watching but could not do anything to stop Tolan’s master summoning the undead. The scene changing to himself inside of the forest walking passed some trees and bushes; finally making his way towards a small wooden shack. Opening the door of the shack noticing a foul smelling coming from inside; peering inside of the shack he noticed that it was quite messy inside. Exploring the interior of the shack he found nothing; but parchment with strange writings and empty plates shattered all over the floor. Before he could come towards a darken figure in the corner of the room he awoke to the bright sun and chirping birds.

Getting his clothes he was glad he had locked his door before going to sleep; he did not want anyone seeing his face and third eye. Once he finished dressing he made his way out of his room and walking downstairs to get some milk form the tavern owner.

---

Neith stretched on her bed and groaned in annoyance from the rooster's crowing. She was having a nice dream that she was living in a luxurious castle while being served by handsome and ripped man-servants. She squished her pillows around her bed to try and sleep again but she just huffed and rubbed the sleepiness out of her eyes. She sat up straight on her bed and had a brief moment of confusion when she woke up in an unfamiliar room, then she remembered that she was in one of the rooms of the Dull Axe Inn in the village of Helsend. She looked at her longbow propped against the wall beside her other belongings, making her remember the purpose of her coming all the way here to this weird village. Neith just sighed. She really hoped she made the right choice.

She took time in freshening herself up before getting dressed and bringing all her stuff. She wouldn't just locked her door and return to her room once she had breakfast but it was all the belongings she had. She can't risk the possibility of some people coming into her room and stealing what's left of her property. She looked back one last time at the room, thinking that this will be the last time she will ever feel safe and comfortable somewhat before their journey to the cursed forest, and then locked the door behind her to make her way downstairs.

Dion had a completely non-eventful and restful sleep. As he retreated to his room the moment everyone failed to get anything from that suspicious man. He suspected he might be tied to the cult, because of that weird tattoo he didn't recognize. He wondered just how much interference this man would create since they were going to enter the forest. He'd make his way downstairs and on the way, he'd look for signs of any of the people he was with last night.

@Jerkchicken@baraquiel

Micah Aarseth

Micah was drinking a tall glass of milk; something that was a part of his morning routine. Having his mask lifted above his mouth; making sure that his mask did not fall off by using one hand to hold his mask in place. He made some small conversation with Tolan; mostly speaking about if he had seen anything strange last night. Straying away from the subject of the forest.

Turning to face Neith and Dion; waving his hand while finishing his glass of milk. “Hello; are you ready for our adventure today?” Sounding weirdly quite cheerful for the dreadful adventure they were going to have.

---

Neith shrugged at Micah. "At this point, I don't know what to expect anymore. It's best if we just get this over and done with. The more time I spend in this place, the more I feel unease for some weird reason..." The elf was a bit weirded out by Micah's excitement in going to that seemingly-yet-definitely cursed forest but she thought it was just one of the quirks of being into the mystical arts; they're more down into the dark and spooky stuff than normal people were. No judgment, even Neith was into some freaky deeky stuff too but she figured it was too inappropriate to let the others know for the time being.

She turned to Dion. "What exactly are we looking for in that forest again? I hope it would be something useful, like a treasure chest or a legendary sword or whatever. I'll just have you know, you will be liable for whatever's gonna happen to me in that god-forsaken forest. Men like you two need to protect the ladies, after all."

As morning came, and the adventurers stirred within their beds, the cloudless day warmed the town. Given the nature of Micah’s previous visions, and the micro-fractures in Neith’s tailbone, a rest at the Dull Axe was perfect for them to recuperate from the strange night. The innkeeper, an old elven man in his 60s was taking inventory out of a ledger at the front of the lobby, it wasn’t much, but it was just right for the town. A couple inn goers were making their way down the halls, leaving for day.

It was roughly 9am by now, and town hadn’t exactly kicked up yet, but off to the distance, unlikely to be seen by most, someone could be seen sleepily but steadily walking to the treeline, someone with blonde hair, and a cotton shirt with long and flowing sleeves. In one hand, something that seems like a book from the view of the Dull Axe

@baraquiel@Eviledd1984@Jerkchicken

@Jerkchicken@baraquiel

Micah Aarseth

Micah while still having a chat with Talon; he waved over the others. “Hello; how are you all? We were worried about your injuries; does it feel better then it did before?” He asked Neith; during the night he was a little worried about her and how it would affect her during combat. His eyes turning towards the figure walking towards the forest; curiously he stood up from his seat. Staring at the figure; he wondered if this was the figure he had seen in his dreams.

Standing where he was; observing the figure with what he assumed was carrying a book of some kind. He did not know why he did what he did; but he started walking outside of the inn and towards the figure. Luckily he had his staff and mage clothing with him; walking quickly towards the figure; his mouth opening to say something to the figure. “Sir; where are you going?” He said out loud hoping that the figure would hear him.

---

Neith rubbed her bum and shrugged. "Eh, could've been better. It's not my first time being turned down by a man though he was just as rude as the rest of 'em. I do have to say, he was kind of hot..." She said, wondering aloud before shaking her head. She took a seat beside them and ordered something to eat. If they were going to a haunted forest with minimal chances of escape, she might as well do it with her tummy full of warm food.

The waitress put down a plate full of hot steaming, freshly cooked food and Neith was about to take a bite when Micah stood up and stared off outside. "Micah? What are you...? Before she could finish her question, he just went out of the inn without telling them why. The dark elf groaned in annoyance. "Oh come on, I barely got a bite from my food! Ugh, give me a break..." Neith grumbled in annoyance before starting to eat her breakfast.

She was curious though and she would glance out of the windows while chewing her food to see where Micah ran off too. It seemed like he was approaching a mysterious person with blonde hair and a cotton shirt with long, flowing sleeves. It even looked like said person was carrying a book but they were too far for Neith to get a good look at it. She did keep her bow next to her so she could go out fully prepared to defend Micah, just in case things go south.

"What's the matter? I you were itching to go in there and scour the place for any sort of valuable treasure. As for what we're trying to find? Simple, monsters, magical disturbances, and any sort of cursed objects. A seasoned adventurer like yourself should be safe provided you don't do anything colossally stupid." Dion replied.

Dion would produce a bottle of some colored liquid. He'd take a sip and slowly drink its content. The drink would provide him with the necessary energy to become fully alert. Perhaps he might score something to eat, but at the moment the drink was all he needed. He simply watched the others get ready. Micah ran off after someone he spotted. Neith would follow immediately after the man leaving Dion alone. He'd simply sigh and follow after the two.