Arty Fox

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: G9 Action: Attack X2 (10, dmg: N/A. 16, dmg:8) Bonus Action: Unarmed Strike (19, dmg: . 13, dmg: N/A) Reaction: N/A Ki: 3/5

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A satisfied grin split BlackBerry’s scaly face seeing the creature apparently far too stunned to even react to the sudden onslaught both physical and magical. The latter he asumed to be from the talented Victoria, bringing up the rear with her marvellous voice tuned perfectly to ease ones worries or evident ally sharpen them to a razor edge.

A surge of fire to his right caught his attention to see Lady Kathryn nearly double her original size, his thoughts scurried to bring back what she had said just some hours ago about her antics with magic.

“Sizing up the enemy I see, Lady Kathryn. Marvellous ide-ah!”

Mandibles filled his vision, the giant creature suddenly lunged at him. BlackBerry hopped backwards a step and the vertical teeth snapped shut in front of his nose, giving him full sight and smell of its last grisly meal. Then two monstrous claws came snatching at him from either side, the beast pressing forward upon him, forcing him to jump again to avoid the attack. Coming back down on the outside of its arm he aimed the sword at the creature only for the strike to go wide and miss completely.

Blackberry grimaced, grunting as he re-found his footing then drove the sword forward again and this time slipping in between the gaps of its armour plating. He then gave the sword a sharp twist to the right, its edge locking against the sides of the plates it had slipped between. Then he pulled on the sword as hard as he could, with mighty grunt of effort pulling the creature towards him, his fiery left arm shot like an arrow up at the creatures face. The blow landed with a satisfying grunt, and with enough force to rip the sword out of the wound.

In the space that emerged between the creature and himself, BlackBerry could see the situation emerging to his right; the giant bug with its claws sinking into Kosara’s flesh and its back limbs furiously scratching at the ground. It was trying to dig! It was going to take her away!

Desperately, he looked around the battlefield trying to take in the situation, trying to think of the next move he could make. Fiery chains had emerged from the ground and restrained Lady Kathryns target, While Victoria to his right with Morty ready for battle. Kathryn could go an help Kosara but there was no guarantee the creature wouldn't escape or be able to land a thrashing blow regardless. He threw his other arm towards his own opponent but the distance between them meant the blow didn’t land with enough force to be of much use and the firey limb simply bounced off its scales. Despite Victoria being a magic user she did have Morty and the beast looked as if it could do some decent amount of damage if it threw its weight around.

“Victoria. Kosara requires Assistance!” He called, pulling back into his fighting stance with fiery limbs around his head. “Lady Kathryn, finish your opponent. Fast.”

@Shoe Thief get smacking!!

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: K8 -> G9 Action: Attack with Viscious Sword X2 (26 x2, dmg 7 x2) Bonus Action: Arms of Astral Self Reaction: N/A Ki: 4/5

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The answer to BlackBerry’s question came a lot sooner, and a lot louder than he had expected. Creatures bursting out of the field like maggots from a corpse, shrieking and flailing their grotesque forms about in apparent maddened frenzy, and throwing earth and a half eaten meal in all directions. He watched the half eaten sheep arc, almost majestically through the air with a grim fascination before it returned to the ground with a wet ‘smack’.

One more question answered.

BlackBerry pulled his gaze to the three horrifying, giant, horse sized, insects screeching in fury after being disturbed from their sleep. One had emerged not too far from Kosara, another was baring down upon Kathryn leaving her like a silhouette of silver against its green carapace. The third one however had turned its horrible gaze to beyond the the field, Blackberry followed its gaze, to the screaming non-combatants frozen in fear.

“Get out of here!”S He shouted over to the wagons, his feet already pounding across the dirt towards the creature. “Move! Now!”

Power churned, surging up from his core and out from his shoulders as powerful bursts of glorious righteous flames pounded brutally at the air infront of the insect creature, BlackBerry skidding to a stop between it and it’s quarry.

The creature however appeared to be completely unphazed, even somewhat unimpressed.

BlackBerry snarled up at the twitching mandibles, the hooked serated forelimbs, the mud and blood dried upon its grotesque carapice. While BlackBerry was against judging by a book these creatures did not make for pleasant reading. His hand wrapped around the hilt of the Viscious Shortsword, it sang almost gleefully being pulled from its sheethe and shone with menacing delight in the sun. Putting Lady Kathryns traing to use he took a step forward and thrust the sword forwards at the same time with the speed of lightning, the sword dived through the insects armour and into it’s tender flesh. The creature squealed in pain while BlackBerry struck it again with another piercing stab.

@Shoe Thief you're up!

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Farmland, next to Victoria Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 5/5

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Lady Kathryn putting on her helmet made BlackBerry concerned. The concern then bloomed to worry when Victoria beside him sharply called out for Lady Kathryn to not do whatever it was she was trying to do.

Barbel Mosswater was absolutely certain that this was the right field, though BlackBerry remained a little unconvinced personally, but who was he to argue with the man who had grown up here? BlackBerry simply shrugged in an attempt to dismiss the anxiety that permeated the air around them all.

When Kosara’s report of her, or rather Chauncys findings, he turned to see Madame L’rose already moving her wagon ready to go should the situation descend into something dangerous. “Perhaps you should follow suit, Mr Barb…” The rest of the sentence died in his throat.

Right on cue, Kosara gave a giddy cackle from the field as she made to pull the situation kicking and screaming into possible danger. “A ‘Heads up’ would have been appreciated greatly, Kosara!” Hopping down from the wagon, and following on Victorias heels, he vowed to have words with the mad woman.

“Best get ready to run, Sirs.” BlackBerry spun around mid step, slowing his run to a jog, to call over to Barbal and Terace with a cheery grin. “It would appear danger is afoot. If you would attend to our mule as well? Please and thank you.” His concerns of Barbels trustworthiness forgotten, for now.

With that request sorted he twisted around again and hurried after Victoria, hopping over the boundary fence to meet her in the field. He arrived just in time to hear Lady Kathryn calling out something he couldn’t understand. His gaze snapped between Lady Kathryn ready but hesitant, and Kosara all but frothing at the mouth with a knife in hand.

“Might I suggest a deep breath and a moments pause before we act, hm?” BlackBerry was already rolling his shoulders, himself preparing for an oncoming fight. His knees bent and feet treading lightly across the soil. “Kosara, Victoria. If I may, it would seem you two have at least some idea of what could have caused this.” He gestured to the mounds he could now see Lady Kathryn standing beside that continued into the fields of wheat. “Care to explain to the rest of us? Did Chauncy…uh, say what it might be nearby?”

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: N/A Action: Insight (10) Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 5/5

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“If you are certain, Lady Kathryn. Quite a wise thought if I may say so.” He nodded in appreciation to Lady Kathryns thinking. Form the sounds of it the rest of the party had had much more exciting times on the road than himself.

The journey to Southmoor was overall very uneventful and would have been enjoyable if not for the bracing gusts of wind trying to strip every once of warmth from BlackBerry’s body. He continued to lead the Mule, following behind the L’Rose’s caravan, with only the occasional input from Victoria pulling on the reigns to keep the wagon clear of the rocks and potholes of the road.

I must be doing well. He thought as Victoria began to play her violin, and gliding between tunes as easy as the raven glided upon the winds above them. BlackBerry of course showed his appreciation to the music by trying to tap his feet in time to the rhythm the Bard set.

Thankfully Madame L’Roses was right on the money in regards to how far away the farm was and soon enough BlackBerry was turning the wagon and following after. His attention had started to flag however, and the poor Mule found itself having to pull the wagon at a sharper than usual angle to make the turn. Despite this he did manage to bring the Mule to a gentle stop just behind the other two wagons, but not before Kosara shot like a hound chasing a rabbit out the side and into the field, just as Mr Barbal cried out that the sheep had disappeared.

“Are you quite certain this is the right field, Mr Barbal?” BlackBerry cast his gaze from atop the wagon seat struggled to see any sign of them either. For a moment he wondered if this had been a trap of some kind, but Madame L’Rose trusted Barbal, and he sounded genuinely confused.

BlackBerry had never been too sure how farmers could tell whos field was whos, especially when so many of them often grew the same crop or housed the same animals. The shuffling of movement drew his attention snapping towards the back of the wagon, where he could see through the gabs in the fabric the form of Morty getting ready for…something.

He raised an eyebrow to Victoria to silently ask, ‘Why?’. But taking her lead he placed a hand upon the hilt of his sword. Perhaps Mr Barbal wasn't as trustworthy as he first seemed.

“Any sign of a struggle, Kosara?" BlackBerry called over, trying to see Kosara amongst the piles of harvested wheat.

From the Egg - A Dragon Training Rp

Mary T’ashar

Mary toyed frantically with her fingertips as the Dwarf spoke. His idea that this whole thing was somehow rehearsed did pull her gaze to him with a frown caught between puzzlement and surprise. The idea didn’t sit right with Mary, not wanting to think the Lady Gwynn she had known, even only distantly, had grown into someone who could get mixed up in…whatever this was. There was also the fact that Mary was a washer woman and the Dwarf, following his finger to a tabled covered in tools she only vaguely recognised, was a sculptor, there was simply no reason to go through all this effort to trick them into anything.

And then, in a flash of light, Lady Gwynn vanished.

In a stunned stupor Mary frantically blinked away the spots from her vision where Lady Gwynn had been just a moment before, and found only empty air. Mother Dula, standing above them all, simply asked for the next.

“Shes’ gone.” Mary whispered to the Dwarf. “Where did she go? H-h-how, how did she do that? Lady Gwynn passed her test didn’t she, then where has she gone?”

Herb lore. Scrying bones. Potions. Lights in the air and changing colours of flames, those were the magics Mary was familiar with; parlour tricks and subtle ways of reading the world. The closest she had come to any more powerful magics had been many, many years ago during her military service, and none she remembered could make someone disappear without the target being killed in a big ball of fire.

Mary wanted to step forward, wanted to shout, wanted to demand to know where Lady Gwynn had vanished to. Her entire being seemed to buzz with a mix of trepidation and, almost just as alarmingly, excitement. She made to step forward but the clink of armour drew her eyes to a nearby guard who simply shook his head and pointedly lay a gloved hand upon the pommel of his sword. The message couldn’t have been clearer for her to not interfere.

The second participant was another human and his test worryingly looked to be another fight. The number in her hand silently threatened her.

“As much as I wish otherwise, I fear this is all too real. What number did you draw?” Mary’s voice came out as a strained squeak as she opened her hand and revealed the crumbled paper with the number 3 on it. “That woman, Mother Dula, mentioned benefactors didn’t she. That we had been recommended for all this. Think any of them knew what they were getting us all into?” There was an edge of anger beneath the shaking fear.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: On the road again Action: Driving the wagon (17) Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 5/5

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Thankfully the tension in the air was quickly tempered by Madame L’rose and Young Lizbeth clarifying Kosaras explanation. But to be fair on Kosara, there weren’t many good ways to say ‘Your local sheriff was a were rat and killed a lot of people in the township, and then these other people travelling with us then killed him’.

Lady Kathryns own reassurances over their…aquired equipment also took some of the edge off his nerves. But still he saw no need to go flaunting either around the place.

“I myself am Baronfjørd Chedgusah.” A polite wave to the new arrivals still from behind the Mule. “Though most simply call me BlackBerry. A pleasure to meet you both. Apologies, I am a tad busy at the moment.”
He returned to trying to attach the mule to the wagon, trying to follow the steps he had seen Kosara take when removing it earlier, but the task turned out to be a tad more complex than he had initially thought and meant he had to redo a few straps before he got everything back into the correct place, and the same went for removing the wooden-stopper-peg-things from around the wagons wheels.

Putting the wooden-stopper-peg-things in the back of the wagon he then said, “Keep these safe, if you would good sir.” It took him a moment to realise he had addressed Morty, a very much dead though stubbornly upright swine.

Coming back around to the front of the wagon, just in time to hear the tail end of the conversion with the party agreeing to help or at the very least investigate what was killing off the farmers sheep.

“Good thinking Kosara. I am inclined to agree on that point.”

He clambered back onto the wagon next to Victoria at the front and expected her to give the reigns a crack to get the Mule moving. Instead, surprisingly, the reigns were cheerfully deposited onto his lap. His head jumped between the reigns and to Victoria as he awaited an instruction. After a few moment, when none came and he picked up the reigns.

“Very well. Let us give this another try, then? Are you ready good Sir? Slow and steady now.” He called to the mule which only moved its ears in acknowledgement.

BlackBerry, mimicking the motions he had seen from Victoria and Madam L’rose, gave the reigns a little crack and a “yah” prompting the Mule to walk. This time Blackberry kept the his grip on the reigns light and easy, providing much more slack in them that he had before, but enough tension so that he only had to move his arm a little to either side for the Mule to react. BlackBerry grinned with pride as he managed a much smoother ride this time despite going slower than before anf falling a little behind Madame L’Rose’s wagon.

“Haha! Now this is quite agreeable. Perhaps I had not offended Habbakuk too badly then.” The wagon drifted a little to the left as his attention wavered for a moment, but BlackBerry managed to pull it back onto course without incident.

“Lady Kathryn, I imagine it is still some distance until we reach the farms. You may as well keep you gear in the wagon for now.” He called to the other wagon. “Might I ask how far are we to travel?”

From the Egg - A Dragon Training Rp

Mary T’ashar

“First!” A strangled whisper escaped Mary’s lips.

There wasn’t time for anything else, before Mary could force her brain back into motion to ask further questions, Lady Gwynn was called forward to begin her trial and Mary left reaching her hand out, silently pleading for the young woman not to leave. But of course, Lady Gwynn never did let fear (or sometimes common sense) get to her, and the young woman rather impressivley strode with her jaw set to her trial. The Guards and Priests then worked like frenzied ants under the glowering gaze of their queen, Mother Dula, pushing Mary to either side of the atrium with other participants and furniture alike.

Even from the sidelines watching Lady Gwynns trail was…an experience; the air between Mother Dula, high upon her stage, and Lady Gwynn, examining the items on her trial table, damn near rippled with the contempt the pair had for each other. The cryptic test did nothing to calm Mary’s worries or the questions spinning in her skull. She focused her gaze upon Lady Gwynn, watching the young woman intently with several silent prayers to the Moon and Sun she would succeed. Mary didn’t even notice the Monk stalking Lady Gwynn until the young woman had struck the Monk hard in the chest and Mary’s heart suddenly leapt into her throat with a little yelp. But it seemed however that Lady Qwynn had passed her test and Mary let herself breathe again.

Mary meanwhile found the ordeal had illustrated to her the nature of this place, and the hidden dangers that could be hiding around every corner, and she looked over her shoulder at the brick walls behind her.

Now I’m just being paranoid. She chastised herself. Jumping at shadows and imagined dangers when I should instead focus on the real ones, right beside me!

Her gaze slid away from Lady Gwynn approaching an Egg, Mary surprised herself with a small pang of jealousy, and to the Dwarf beside her. He wasn’t much taller than her but the gold eyes she could just make out from his dazzling red hair and beard did lend themselves to his overall imposing figure. Interestingly, he wore gems of a similar red inlaid into his clothing, suggesting to Mary he was someone of wealth or at least fairly high standing. Could he be friend or foe? There was only one way to know.

“So, what do you make of this all then?” She asked the dwarf quietly. Her mouth was uncomfortably dry, and her voice shook under the effort trying to sound calm, as if she didn’t see someone try to stab another person right in front of her. “Any thoughts on what your trial could be? My only hope is it doesn’t include a murderous monk.” She forced out a quiet laugh that was as convincing as she was tall.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: x / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: N/A Action: Keeping the sword hidden (21) Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 5/5

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BlackBerry had snapped his fingers in feigned anger at losing his little wager; Madame L’rose had not made the pie. But he did express his agreement at being introduced

Standing beside the grazing Mule, BlackBerry’s eyebrows descended further and further into a worried frown as Lady Kathryn continued to explain the particulars of her magical mishaps. He patted the mule reassuringly on the neck. “Do not be alarmed Old Boy, I will endeavour to keep you safe from her appetite.”

There was still time before the other wagon arrived, it meandering with some intent towards them on the road ahead, and BlackBerry would be lying if he said he wasn’t at least a little bit anxious. He once again caught himself tap, tap, tapping his finger tips to his thumb to relieve some of the worry. When did he become so wary of others?

Somewhat frustrated with himself and still awaiting the others to finish their own meals he set about preparing the Mule and wagon as best he could. Thankfully, despite the earlier mishap when he tried to steer the wagon the mule was a fairly agreeable creature, and happy to stand politely for BlackBerry to replace its harness, with the dragon-born only having some difficulty from trying to secure the various straps. But this alone took him somewhat longer than he had hoped or intended so that by the time the other Wagon had arrived he was just about leading the Mule over to the parties own.

His initial worries immediately dissipated as the halfling of the other party threw a cherry greeting to Madame L’Rose, only for them to return two fold when they revealed the reason for their travels. The weight of the recently deceased Constable Cavendish’s sword at his hip felt like an anchor. Hurriedly, BlackBerry scurried behind the Mule to keep the incriminating sword out of sight at least until there had been a chance to explain themselves. It seemed that the news hadn’t travelled of Cavendish’s disgrace hadn’t travelled quite as far as hoped.

Perhaps I am being overly cautious? After all how likely is it really a bunch of farmers would recognise a Constables Sword?

The Kosara opened her mouth and explained the situation in a succinct, although very interesting manner which Victoria endeavoured to patch over. He winced.

“Perhaps it is even the ruffians who escaped?” The thought popped out before he could stop it.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: on the road again Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 5/5

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After a grimace at Kosaras apparent enthusiasm to eat the Morty Meat, he had to agree with her opinions on soups and broth. While Ration Broth could keep you going for an extra day or two it wasn't recommended or desirable. Soup, however, was a very different story but it was much less suitable as a travelling meal.

“May I ask as to what magic trick you performed? I hate to think of you in any sort of pain while eating, Lady Kathryn. Food may be one of many joys in life but it is a substantial one.” He was side on to the little ‘table’ the flat-enough rocks had formed and had founds a somewhat comfortable patch of moss to recline upon. With his elbow still resting upon the rock he gestured to his own little spread on simple cloth wrappings each with chunks unceremoniously ripped out of them. “Some cheese, meat and bread purchased from the market. It is rather delicious and you are more than welcome to it.”

His eyebrows flew upwards as Victoria described, near shouted, her flying experience. He eyes snapping between Victoria standing and laughing like a madwoman, and up to the dark shape of the raven up above them. BlackBerry himself was enraptured by this display watching with a grin at the crow bank and soar above them.

Oh to be as free as a bird and see the countryside lain out below.

His mood though quickly soured as Victoria described, again nearly shouting, the scene she saw. BlackBerry frowned at the idea of lunch being cut short and without even being able to sample the tasty looking jam he had bought. He then shook his head as he stood up.

“Let us hope that they are not looking for trouble from ones such as ourselves.” Shielding his eyes he squinted down the road towards the oncoming group trying without much luck to pick out the details Victoria described, he even tried taking a few steps forward onto the road again to get a better view. “Ten against four, armed with nought but farming equipment and bows. If it were to come to blows I would not be backing them.” A self indulgent chuckle sneaked out from his lips.

For a few moments BlackBerry was silent as he thought. Shifting side to side, foot to foot, corralling grim thoughts and worries into order. Then he clicked his tongue several times as the thoughts came conclusion. In his experience, other travellers were just as likely to be a boon, offering company or even supplies if you got along with them, as they were to be a hindrance, by stealing your things while you sleep and waking you up with a good kick in the teeth. BlackBerry rubbed his jaw as he turned back to the others.

“May I suggest we act in prudence; there are any number of reasons a group may travel in anger so let us not jump to conclusions just yet or act rashly. That said, Miss Cecily and Young Lizbeth should seek refuge in the wagon, out of sight and mention, until the group has passed or we have ascertained their destination and intentions. Best be on our guard until then also.” BlackBerry wasted little time packing his meal back into his bag and placing it in the back of the party's wagon. “Gods willing they are simply suffering from poor luck and temperament at this time.”

From the Egg - A Dragon Training Rp

Mary T’ashar

At first, still fearing her head may suddenly be removed from her shoulders, Mary dared to only look away from the Priest with only her eyes to the other person who with a flat masculine tone, whispered from their chair that they were in Mary's same position. When the voice then bid her to come sit next to them did Mary turn to look at the speaker; staring back at her was a pale face lovingly decorated with freckles, bright and wild brown eyes shone between locks of brown hair curling just past the ears.

“Lady Gwynn!?” Recognition momentarily shattered her sense of fear. She was so stunned at seeing the girl, now a woman, seated before her that she didn’t even follow the instruction she had been given. “What are you-”

The Priest, Mother Dula, like an eagle dove upon the rising murmurs of conversation, and Mary felt like a vole in a field as she was given a look of utter contempt. Then came the explanation of where she was, why she was there, and what was expected of her. A glance behind her confirmed that the Guards were, unfortunately, still by the resolutely closed doors. Another glance to the sides of the atrium offered some promise by way of tall empty windows if only she were able to reach them or even knew what was on the other side…

This is insane. A Dragon Rider! Me, a Dragon Rider! Even if this wasn’t all poppycock I’m not tall enough to ride a horse let alone a Dragon! Mary took several deep breathes as she followed the forming queue towards the front, towards the stage, towards the bowl that would decide her fate. I have to get out of here. I have to get us both out of here.

In a horribly short amount of time Mary found herself on the stage before Mother Dula who she resolved to avoid eye contact with at all costs. Mary scurried back down from the stage after snatching her paper, the Egg resting on its pedestal made her pause for a moment. Onnce back on the main floor she opened the folded piece.

3, the number written in ink gazed up at her. She crumbled the paper in hand and resisted the urge to look for her assigned table.

“Lady Gwynn. Follow me.” She hurried over and begun dragging the young lady behind her by the wrist, proper etiquette be dammed!

Trying to find some semblance of a private corner beneath the numerous eyes from the guards, Priests, and the figures in the boxes above, Mary lead them towards a vacant work table. Notably this table seemed roughly the right height for Mary’s stature instead of Gwynns, and set up with a neat array of chisels, hammers, brushes, and other tools Mary had no name for.

She let go of Gwynns wrist and in a hushed whisper said,“I’m sorry for that Lady Gwynn, and for not recognising you sooner, you have grown much since I last saw you. But what are you doing here? Did they hurt you? Are you okay?”