New Allies, Well Met
The last ships of the season came through the mist-choked waters beneath the cliffs of Bryn Celli, bearing with them three strangers: Tyrm, Bran, and Saya’da. Though unfamiliar with the town and its dour folk, the three had traveled together for some time already, bound by circumstance and whatever rough trust adventurers place in one another. They disembarked knowing full well what the season meant: only an occasional, rare vessel was likely to brave these waters again before winter’s end. Whatever fate awaited them in this bleak northern land, they were committed.
The townsfolk greeted them with cold stares and guarded silence. Yet as they passed near the well by the south gate, an old woman resting there raised her head and called to them. It was Nerys the Seer, her clouded eyes strangely intent despite her frailty. Without introduction she urged them to seek out Aera of the Ashen Oak at the druid grove west of town. Work awaited them there, she said — and perhaps companions as well.
Bran, ever eager to make a favorable impression upon gods and mortals alike, offered the old seer a small carved rune marked with the image of a goat and gave her his blessing. Nerys accepted it with gratitude. Saya’da merely urged the others onward with impatience.
Passing through Bryn Celli and out by the north gate, the newcomers followed the western road toward the grove beneath the ancient oaks. There, under the watchful gaze of Aera of the Ashen Oak, the two bands of adventurers finally met.
The original company had already been speaking with the druidess regarding the restless spirit of Eilleann. As the newcomers approached, they overheard enough of the conversation to quickly understand the matter at hand. Aera spoke solemnly of an ancient rite of release — one not performed in living memory. To calm the dead girl’s spirit permanently, her name must be spoken, an item belonging to her placed over the site of her murder, and a vow sworn that her killer would face judgment, whether by mortal hands or the gods themselves.
The ritual, Aera warned, would take several uninterrupted minutes to complete. If the one performing it were harmed or distracted, the rite would fail and must begin anew.
Worse still, Eilleann’s spirit could not be slain by ordinary steel. Only silver or enchanted weapons could wound her, and even then only briefly delay her wrath. The ritual itself was the only true means of putting her to rest. Tori volunteered to perform the rite while the others defended her.
Aera explained that the local smith could silver their weapons for little more than the value of the silver itself — enough to coat blades and arrowheads for a handful of strikes.
At this point, the newcomers introduced themselves...
Tyrm stood silently for much of it, staring vacantly as though only half aware of the conversation. Cire, naturally wary of strangers and reliant upon the judgment of trusted companions, greeted the newcomers cautiously. Kildun's unusual height was quickly noticed, leading to an exchange of "short" jokes and puns.
Saya’da remained mostly silent, watching.
At last Bran introduced himself properly, offering his services so long as all could work together as equals. He mentioned that Nerys had directed them here and had even foretold another company of adventurers.
This seemed enough for Tori and Cire. Cire clasped Bran’s hand warmly in welcome. Bran, for his part, promised he would be “high risk, but give potentially alarming returns.”
Kildun appeared openly relieved to see additional warriors among the newcomers and welcomed them readily. Saya’da smiled faintly but said nothing.
Tyrm, meanwhile, spotted a gap in the trees where sunlight pierced the grove canopy. Without explanation he wandered away from the conversation entirely and stood basking in the light.
Not long after, Tori began quietly speaking with her fox totem spirit — invisible to everyone else.
With hours remaining before midnight, the newly joined company set out to prepare. Tori inquired whether holy water might aid them against Eilleann’s spirit, and Aera admitted it could perhaps prove useful. Tyrm questioned the certainty of Brion’s guilt, forcing the others to admit that despite rumor and suspicion, they possessed no true proof. Discussion turned to the clues they had uncovered thus far and to darker possibilities — particularly the rumors surrounding the missing ranger Rhodric and whispers of lycanthropy in the region.
The party resolved to continue their investigation before nightfall. Tyrm simply turned and began walking off, apparently assuming the others would follow him, or simply not caring. Fortunately, they did.
Before leaving the grove, Bran paused to offer an earnest — if deeply awkward — prayer to Ullr:
“Oh great Ullr,
Grant me success in this upcoming endeavor,
Which I assure you is extremely important,
And not at all a poorly thought-out scheme involving strangers’ coin.
Bless my aim — metaphorically or otherwise —
Though preferably literally, if there’s any archery involved.
Guide my steps as you guide… skis?
Yes — like skis upon the fresh powder of destiny.”
The company’s first stop was the smithy, where silver could be applied to weapons and ammunition alike. Several members also purchased permanently silvered arms, unwilling to rely solely upon temporary coatings.
Thereafter the investigation resumed in earnest.
When Tyrm noticed several idle youths loitering in the streets, he approached them directly despite his almost supernatural lack of social grace. The boys mocked him openly for his odd mannerisms and unsettling demeanor, but Tyrm appeared either oblivious or unconcerned by the insults.
Cire eventually intervened, flipping one of the boys a silver coin. The change in attitude was immediate. The youths admitted they had known Brion and went so far as to accuse him of Eilleann’s murder outright. None had witnessed the deed, but all claimed they knew the sort of person Brion truly was. Yet fear and shame had kept them silent — none willing to confront Eilleann’s grieving parents with what they suspected.
Elsewhere, Galenos had returned to the Sheep’s Rest for drink and warmth, soon joined by Cire. Tyrm instead headed for the docks accompanied by Kildun, Saya’da, and Tori. There they questioned local fishermen as the men cleaned nets and boats after the day’s labor.
The conversation quickly descended into comedy as Tyrm attempted diplomacy. Saya’da attempted to salvage matters by falsely claiming Brion owed her money, but the fishermen saw through the lie at once and laughed openly. Even so, the men shared what little they knew. Brion had often kept company with two wastrels named Lonan and Lachlann — “toadies,” in the fishermen’s words — though the dockworkers knew little more than that.
By evening the scattered groups reconvened at the Sheep’s Rest before continuing to question Torla Red-Hand. She confirmed that Lonan and Lachlann had indeed been among Brion’s closest companions and described them as layabouts frequently found wasting time in the streets. Tyrm immediately recognized the description as the very youths they had already questioned.
Torla also revealed the names of Brion’s parents, Onchu and Dairine, and directed the party toward their small home on the east side of town.
Having obtained this information, Tyrm walked away again without explanation. Kildun, increasingly fascinated by the strange man, followed after him. Galenos settled the tavern tab while Cire departed separately to speak once more with Nerys.
The company divided into three groups.
Tyrm and Kildun confronted Lonan and Lachlann again. The boys initially laughed, admitting they had earlier sent Tyrm wandering on a fool’s errand. Yet with the towering Kildun looming silently behind him, the humor quickly faded from their faces. This time the youths admitted openly that they had been Brion’s friends and confirmed much of what the party already knew concerning the night Brion and Eilleann disappeared.
When the boys attempted to leave, Tyrm laid hands upon their shoulders to stop them. They jerked free in alarm and fled down the street.
Afterward, Tyrm turned to Kildun and spoke in ancient Hyperborean, catching the necromancer very much by surprise.
Meanwhile Bran, Saya’da, and Galenos visited the home of Brion’s parents. Bran politely knocked, and after a long hesitation a weary, hollow-eyed woman answered the door. She confirmed she was Brion’s mother but insisted she had not seen her son since his disappearance and knew nothing of his whereabouts.
Bran attempted gently to press for more information, but fear hung thick within the cramped house. A harsh male voice barked from somewhere deeper inside, and the woman hurriedly explained she needed to prepare supper for her husband. Though Saya’da was clearly displeased, the group eventually relented and withdrew.
At the well, Cire and Tori found Nerys once again seated in quiet contemplation. Sadly, the old seer had no fresh visions to offer them. The voices, she explained, did not answer questions on command. Still, she confessed that before Brion vanished she had sensed darkness clinging to him — the same darkness she had once perceived upon his father. She had tried warning Brion’s mother, but the woman refused to listen.
Cire spoke of their intention to perform the rite for Eilleann and asked whether naming Brion specifically during the vow might matter. Nerys could offer no certainty.
As dusk deepened, the scattered companions reunited near the home of Brion’s parents. Tyrm questioned Kildun regarding lycanthropes, but the necromancer knew little beyond common tales and rumor. He did, however, remind the others of the troubling stories surrounding the missing ranger Rhodric.
Suspicion and unease thickened around the company as they circled the narrow row houses in search of another entrance. At the end of the row, between the houses and outer palisade, they discovered a cramped alleyway behind the dwellings.
And there, approaching quietly through the gloom, they heard voices from within:
A man shouting in anger.
And a woman pleading desperately for peace...
