2023.12.30 The First Minion Falls

The First Minion Falls
Zeller takes Graham out on a walk to clear their heads and go over the current situation... leading to them stumbling upon the first of the Thallain Vetur's forces
IC Date	2023.12.30
IC Time	Evening
Players	Zeller, Miranda, Graham
Location	County of Lion's Reach - Great Eastern Woods, Barony of Divertimento Dithyramb Dance - Capricorn Glade - Gazebo
Spheres	Changeling

Well... yesterday and the day before sure was something. The poor new arrival seems to have arrived at the worst time for normal introductions, but seemingly at the best time for the literal and figurative strength of a troll to be needed. Still, it was a confusing and tiring mess... so Zeller has brought out Graham with him on a walk around the Dreaming to cool off, think, and get their heads on straight for the battles approaching like a speeding freight train. The forest between Freeholds is as a Winter landscape painting, the idyllic beauty and danger a frigid forest represents. It's oh-so-quiet... for now.

Zeller sighs and shakes. "God damn man. That hyper emotional shit was taking its toll on me..." he utters with a dry chuckle. "I'm guessing you're probably trying to figure what the fuck is going on right about now..." the satyr continues as he steps lightly through the wooded environ and looks over at the big stony faced man.

Graham shrugs "I have seen a few things in my time, but that knight was practicly a corpse, among other things going on in there.." He takes to one side of Zeller, closer to the edge of the path to be closer to the snow as he half looks to it as he walks "And more over that other satyr, what is wrong with her? She spoke as if she knew me, but she can't possably have."

"Probably a slip on my part, I may have mentioned you when we were talking about needing able bodied defenders for what's to come..." Zeller confesses. "She's got a hitch hiker, Fryse, in that body of hers. I'm not sure whether it's a separate entity or a just a different aspect of her own, but..." he shrugs, "either way, she's a beacon to a thallain looking to reclaim both as his own. Veturotta. So, yeah, I may have mentioned I knew someone that could be up to the task. A lot has happened sonce we discussed that though. She's cool though. Both of them are cool, Eirlys and Fryse..."

Graham looks perturbed as he glances at Zeller "I have to ask what you mean by a thallain beeing 'Cool', thats not a the word I'd normally see paired with them, and either way that one seems to be causing trouble, enough for whoever that was to suggest forlorn her to Banality." He shakes his head.

"Oh no... Fryse is not thallain... Veturotta is. I'm not exactly sure what Fryse is..." Zeller frowns. "Maybe Fryse is... thallain?" He looks confused for a moment, but clears it away with a shake of his head. "Anyway. It doesn't really matter. We all now face the consequences of deals made in a life Eirlys doesn't even remember. Our priority is to make sure that the County and its Baronies are safe. And Eirlys."

Graham grumbles "and what mekes Eirlys so important as to not bind her in chains? Not great for her, I know, but it seems kinder then a lot of the options given, although not my place to say..." Graham sighs deeply, looking out into the snow for a moment "has anything else happened with this 'Veturotta' you speak of? any other agents of the thallain?"

"This has all happened extremely fast... we've been told he has minions... And that's why we've always got to be ready." he says thumbing the pommel of his short sword." Zeller grins and shrugs, "...but so far the only real hostility has come from Dame Sealgaira. If we were going to bind anyone in chains, she'd be my first suggestion." he sighs again, heavier this time. "I don't know man. The idea of binding anyone is maddening to me. Everyone deserves to be free. And if there are consequences then we face them. Eirlys already has it bad enough... she's got to be the bait for this bastard."

Graham looks to Zeller and gently nods "it wouldn't be the first I had seen something like this, although never with thallain, and never this deeply woven... it is worrying, surely, but we will have to deal with it like all things." He closes his eyes for a moment, stopping slightly to take in the cold air and smiles, opening them again in a brief moment of reflection.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Zeller rolls Perception + Kenning vs 8 for 2 successes.
2 7 7 +8 +8
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls Perception + Kenning vs 8 for 3 successes.
1 5 +8 +8 +9 9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

As the two talk, a cold wind blows with a chill omen... it's only grown more quiet. Perhaps it's the subject matter keeping them on edge, perhaps it's a certain readiness in their Wilder blood, perhaps it's the fortune of fate, but either way--both of them realize at once they're being -stalked-. And not mundane stalking, no, their Fae magic senses pierce through the veil of something imperceptible to anything but their eyes. Somethign large, something mean, something BEHIND THEM about to STRIKE! The crunching of snow and bite of killing intent pierces through--they have but a few seconds each to prepare!

Zeller loses one Willpower
Zeller loses one Magical Essence
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Zeller rolls Fae + Wayfare vs 7 for 4 successes.
2 3 4 +7 +9 +10 +10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

"Son of a bi...." Zeller whips the sword out and brandishes it, swishing out a lightning bolt shape with a flourish as he does so, and yelling out "Ka-CHOW!"

Graham loses one Willpower Graham loses one Magical Essence <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls Fae + Skycraft vs 6 for 2 successes.
1 2 3 +7 +8 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Graham turns to face the thing that is come for them and bellows out into the open air, the trees all around them shake and settled snow falls around them in great clumps, he grips his great club with both hands, standing tall aginst the creature bareing on them.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 10 (10 dice) vs 5 for 4 successes.
1 1 2 3 +7 +8 +8 +9 10 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 6 + 3 (9 dice) vs 6 for 3 successes.
1 2 2 3 4 +9 +9 +10 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Zeller rolls Stamina vs 6 for 2 successes.
5 +8 +9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
Zeller loses one Health
Zeller gains one Chimerical Damage

As the two turn, standing valiantly and spinning their Glamour against the coming foe, they see the forest shimmer as the creature's cloaking magic fades like snowflakes to the floor. The Cryptid before them rises on great, sharpened hooves, bipedal body covered in wicked black fur with claws stained red with blood hanging from its barreled, muscular chest. A skeletal head like a mix of predator, prey, and animals that have never existed in the autumn stares forth with eyes of glowing red and purple within the abyss of its eye sockets. With a horrifying SCREECH like a dying buck, it lunged forwards to meet the Changelings! As the beast bears down on the two, it seems to momentarily glance between the rocky troll and the furry Satyr and decide to go for the squishier target, lunging forwards with those bloody fangs and managing to BITE down upon Zeller's shoulder squarely. A Satyr is nothing if not tough, though, and so he manages to slip from this attack only bleeding a little!

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Zeller rolls Dexterity + Melee vs 5 for 4 successes.
1 2 4 +5 +6 +7 +8 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Zeller rolls Strength + 2 + 3 vs 6 for 5 successes.
4 5 +6 +6 +6 +8 +9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 9 (9 dice) vs 6 for 2 successes.
1 1 2 5 5 +6 +6 7 7
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Zeller winces and hisses at the bite and jabs at the beast, plunging his blade into the dark fur.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls Dexterity + Melee vs 6 for 1 successes.
2 2 2 5 5 +9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls Strength + 2 vs 6 for 3 successes.
1 5 +6 +6 +9 9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 9 (9 dice) vs 6 for 6 successes.
3 4 4 +6 +7 +7 +8 +9 +10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Graham takes a strike at the beast's side, although his club slides off of it's arm, he yells at the creature again.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 9 (9 dice) vs 5 for 5 successes.
1 3 4 +5 +5 +6 +8 +9 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 6 + 4 (10 dice) vs 6 for 5 successes.
1 2 2 3 +6 +6 +8 +9 +9 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Zeller rolls Stamina vs 6 for 2 successes.
2 +9 +9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
Zeller gains one Chimerical Damage
Zeller gains one Chimerical Damage
Zeller gains one Chimerical Damage

The creature BELLOWS IN RAGE at Zeller's strike cutting open its dreamy flesh, blood dramatically spurting out over him and his blade. The troll bearing down with his club upon the beast does not help either... and, using this fury, the thing UNHINGES its great skeletal jaws, the darkness within the last thing Zeller sees before it suddenly BITES down -past- his head, lifting his body into the air and -sliding- it down its throat as if its flesh was made only to devour. Zeller becomes a squirming bulge in his belly before the two know it--but at least he has his sword to try cutting his way out!

Zeller loses one Willpower
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Zeller rolls 1 vs 6 for 1 successes.
+6
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 5 (5 dice) vs 6 for 1 successes.
1 2 4 +7 7
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Finding a point of light, Zeller shoves his sword towars it and opens it enough to slither wetly out.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls Dexterity + Melee vs 6 for 2 successes.
1 4 4 +7 +9 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls Strength + 2 + 1 vs 6 for 3 successes.
1 2 2 +6 +8 +8 8
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 9 (9 dice) vs 6 for 6 successes.
2 2 4 +6 +6 +8 +8 +10 +10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Graham again smacks the beast again, this time at the shoulder, but it simply slides off again.

By some miracle after that gulp, Z's earlier wound lets him slip out and back to his feet in no time at all! The Cryptid SCREECHES even louder as its belly is cut open, bones, lost Glamour, and even some live small animal chimera falling out with it! Of course Zeller is now matted with blood as a reward for his deed, but the thing seems out of steam now--a perfect chance to strike!

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Zeller rolls 6 vs 6 for 0 successes.
1 2 2 3 4 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Zeller rolls Fae + Wayfare vs 7 for 4 successes.
2 5 5 +7 +7 +8 +9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Zeller grits his teeth and pushes himself up with his sword. "Speed! I AM SPEED!!!" He screams as he rises.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls Dexterity + Melee vs 6 for 0 successes.
1 2 2 3 5 6
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Graham goes to change his angel of attack but slips slightly in the growing pool of blood as he does so, ending up on the other side of Zeller as his swing goes a bit wide, he lets out a low, gravely grumble as he shakes his club a bit "Fowl beast! I'll whear your furs for that!"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 9 (9 dice) vs 5 for 5 successes.
3 3 4 4 +5 +5 +7 +7 +9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 9 (9 dice) vs 6 for 7 successes.
2 5 +6 +6 +7 +7 +7 +8 +10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls Stamina + 3 vs 6 for 3 successes.
1 4 5 +6 +8 +8 9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
Graham loses one Health
Graham loses one Health
Graham loses one Health
Graham loses one Health
Graham gains one Chimerical Damage
Graham gains one Chimerical Damage
Graham gains one Chimerical Damage
Graham gains one Chimerical Damage

Though, it seems the sight and shock of what's just occured has thrown the duo off their game--their attacks slipping as the wounded beast steps back on its wicked hooves. No more second chances--this is it, the do-or-die moment! The beast, heavily injured now, attacks with the ferocity one would expect of an injured monster--biting a clean set of wounds right into the Troll's stony flesh. Blood coats his voile as the bite mark reaches all the way down over his pecs--it hurts!

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Zeller rolls 6 vs 6 for 2 successes.
2 4 5 5 +10 +10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Zeller rolls Strength + 1 vs 6 for 1 successes.
2 4 +10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 5 (5 dice) vs 6 for 4 successes.
5 +7 +7 +7 +9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Zeller wipes away the ichor from his face and swings wildly at the monster. His grip though is slick and he only ends up hitting yhe beast with the flat of the blade.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls 4 vs 6 for 2 successes.
2 3 +9 +10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls Strength + 2 + 1 vs 6 for 4 successes.
2 2 5 +6 +7 +7 +7
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 5 (5 dice) vs 6 for 0 successes.
1 -1 3 3 9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Graham's rage at being hurt flairs, and he screams at the beast as he slips back from it's bite, griping the club in both hands he winds up and forces it back down in a high arc, catching the beast squarely on it's head as he bellows out a laugh.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 5 (5 dice) vs 5 for 3 successes.
2 4 +6 +6 +7
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 5 + 2 (7 dice) vs 6 for 3 successes.
1 2 3 +8 +8 +8 9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls Stamina + 3 vs 6 for 4 successes.
2 3 3 +6 +6 +9 +10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

The sheer BONK of that club down onto the skeletal head of the monster resounds through the forest, more of the thing's black blood seeping down between the cracks to joint hat falling from its cut open belly. It staggers, yet still stands with inhuman strength, going to lay another BITE onto Graham... but nomatter how desperate its strength is, the stone flesh of the Troll this time holds up, leaving him no further damage!

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Zeller rolls 6 vs 5 for 0 successes.
1 1 3 3 6 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Zeller can't seem to get this ...stuff off of him. Even his feet are slick with the stuff. It makes his footing impossible to find as he swings again at the beast.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls 4 vs 6 for 1 successes.
1 5 +6 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls Strength + 2 vs 6 for 2 successes.
1 3 3 +7 +8 9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 5 (5 dice) vs 6 for 2 successes.
4 5 5 +8 +9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Graham hefts his club again and swings sideways, clocking the creature's jaw, but it seems unfazed.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Zeller rolls 6 vs 5 for 3 successes.
1 4 +5 +6 +6 9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Zeller rolls Strength + 2 + 2 vs 6 for 1 successes.
1 3 4 5 +6 8
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 5 (5 dice) vs 6 for 3 successes.
5 5 +7 +7 +7
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Zeller swings again, frustration evident on his face, but can't seem to get his footing again. Sliding as he swings past the beast.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls 4 vs 6 for 1 successes.
2 3 3 +9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls Strength + 2 vs 6 for 3 successes.
1 5 +6 +7 +8 9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eirlys rolls 5 (5 dice) vs 6 for 1 successes.
1 1 +7 9 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Graham takes another strike at the beast and hits in right over it's skeletal eye sockets, grunting again with the effort

The corrupted-blood stained beast staggers back from the first blow to its socket, letting out another ROAR as it immediately goes to finish off its prey--only for that second swing to come land with a THWACK right against its left eye socket. The laready cracked skull bursts open in a shower of bone shards as the beast's huge form -crashes- to the forest floor loud enough to be heard all over, shattered head showing only darkness that seems to begin evaporating out as a black vapor as the light in its eyes fades.

Still wiping ick from his face, Zeller lets his sword arm sag. "Fuck... Wouldn't have survived that without you big man..." He glances around cautiously looking for other potential threats.

Grahamkneels down next to the fell beast "are all your animals around here so... aggressive?" he gives Zeller a joking look, although it's clear the pain has taken it's toll on his body, he smiles slightly "and no worries, you are not half bad yourself!" he turns back to look at the beat, seeing if there is anything he can tell from it's body.

The giant form of the beast rests there as a testament to their grit... though each of the fighters have suffered greivous wounds of their own. Still--if this is indeed one of the awaiting forces of Vetur, they have fought one and -lived-. It does not seem to hold anything, being a clothless beast, but perhaps taking its head as a trophy and then going promptly back to the safety of the Freehold is in order... no need to tempt fate with another attack!

"You know..." Zeller smirks, "This is my first encounter with our local fauna..." He looks back at the other man, "I think we should probably tell somebody about this... " He steps closer to the beast's remains, "Think we should bring proof?"

Graham shrugs "Maybe, it's head does not look too heavy, but you would have to do the cutting... then again, who knows what bringing back parts of a corrupted beast would do?" he looks at Zeller for a moment I'll leave that question up to you, I'll carry it back if you wish.

Zeller nods. "Let's do it..." he says kneeling down to slice the head away from the neck. "Maybe they can study it, or learn something more about it from this." When finished he props the cracked skull up, and angles it over towards Graham. "Thanks again man... I... damn."

Graham takes the head from Zeller, hefting it onto one shoulder as he helps Zeller to his feet again from kneeling "Maybe so, I hope it turns to be wise..." He swivles his head back and forth "...speaking of where do we even take it? I'm sure the wounded kight does not want bodyparts as decoration.

"Yeah, but that's where the people who need to see it are..." Zeller ponders, "Plus it'll be good to show the lady knight what she's missing." He grins. "To the gazebo it is."

Graham waves his free hand "Lead the way, I suppose we should see it through." he nods to Zeller and opens his mouth to tell a joke, but thinks better of it and shakes his head, chuckling slightly to himself

In the evening of this fateful day, Graham and Zeller return to the glade from their walk out who knows where to clear their minds--which, unfortunately, they left on just before the criers of the Freehold got the Baroness' message out. And, based on the fact Zeller And Graham are absolutely covered in some kind of since-dried black blood mixed with their own from bite wounds showing through their clothing--they fought for their lives. There, too, held in Graham's hand is the head of some monster, the thing like a deer skull mixed with a toothy predator, since cracked and freed of whatever nasty dreamstuff was within. The inside is still stained black and smoking slightly, great wrack of antlers covered in the dried flesh of its most likely previoius victims.

Miranda has been making her rounds throughtout the county, and comes back here to recharge - only to see Graham and Zeller and a... head? "Well... looks like my message was a bit late. Are you two alright? Was anyone else with you? What happened?"

"We are fine, thanks to this guy." Zeller says with a tired smile, clapping Graham on the back. "But we met with one of the minions." he says dipping his head towards the skull.

Graham shakes his head and smiles to Zeller before looking to Miranda "It was nothing, really, although this thing's head might be, think you can make heads or tails of it, if you forgive the pun." Miranda will certainly give it a look over, but she has to ask, "Where did you run into this? As best you can describe. That is important to know. And was it alone? No other signs of anything else?" Her eyes will give it a good look over, trying to figure it out.

"It was alone and not far from here actually." Zeller frowns, "I had just gone out into the woods a short ways to kinda clear my head from everything that's been going on and try to fill Graham in on a few things and we noticed it stalking us..."

Miranda loses one Willpower
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Miranda rolls Intelligence + Gremayre vs 7 for 0 successes.
1 -1 3 3 3 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Graham rolls Intelligence + Gremayre vs 6 for 1 successes.
1 2 2 +7 8
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Zeller rolls Intelligence + Gremayre vs 7 for 1 successes.
2 5 5 +7
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Graham nods "I had't seen any other signs, and frankly if there was more then one that jumped us, I'm not sure we would be here to tell of it."

What exactly the creature is eludes the Trio, but from what they can gather of their knowledge they can know one thing for sure--this Chimera is Nightmarish, and it is not native to these lands. It came in from somewhere else... somewhere much colder, perhaps.

Miranda offers, "I bet that Sealgaira would have a better idea exactly what this is. From what little I can pick up, it very well could be the first minion we have come across. And the fact that it was so close? It means the fight is upon us."

"I'm afraid it does." Zeller agrees. "I do feel that I was right in suggesting that we get Eirlys away from Snowfang, but that may be a good place to set up our ambush."

Graham shrugs "I just hope not all of them are this big, otherwise I fear we may lose so of our brethren in the battle.." He looks down at the skull for a moment "what should we do with this? don't want it dripping everywhere."

Miranda nods to Zeller, "Agreed. If anything, like I stated last night, she needs to stay with Sapphiris, in the Autumn for now. Until we can setup said ambush, nail this guy and his minions, and get her out to finish him off. Ending this." She considers what to do with the head. "Well, staying here is probably a bad idea. If you could, please take it to the Ebon Watchtower. I know the Baron there would love to hear the tale and help dispose of it. Or make it a trophy. Eitherway."

Zeller grins at the idea of it being a trophy for the Watchtower, and gives the baroness a bow, "As you wish, Baroness." Then he pauses, "I wonder... is anyone in the Baronies particularly skilled in Wayfare? If we could teleport Eirlys in for the final blow of the monster perhaps that could work?"

Graham nods and puts the head back on his shoulder, looking the Zeller for a moment but saying nothing.

Miranda does not need to think long here, "Yes, Sealgaira is a master of Wayfare. She can do it easily enough. If I'm not mistaken, I'd guess that Oswald, the Troll, is as well. He's been a citizen of this county for many years, before I came for certain. Assuming Sealgaira is healed soon, which after all that has been done for her I'd hope it would have taken, then she should be able to do it."

"Excellent, that's at least one option." Zeller smiles, but looks troubled. "You know... this beast... it's... if this was a minion," he seems to be lost for words for a minute, but settles on, "I think you are doing a great job protecting this Barony and your people. The call to arms was definitely a wise move."

Miranda has a slight smile, hard to do that considering everything happening here. "I appreciate that. Our citizens are good people. Seelie, Unseelie, the chimera, the prodigals that are brought in. They all deserve protection and we shall give it to them. That is for certain. We need every able bodied defender we can get, if we are to succeed. And those to protect who cannot protect themselves. Not just by fleeing to the autumn either."

Zeller nods. "That beast... looked very similar to Fryse's more feral form." he shrugs. "I just thought you should know. I still don't think that it means Fryse is necessarily evil... but perhaps an additional measure of caution is warranted."

Graham looks to Zeller quizzically "How do you know what their feral form looks like?" he shifts the weight of the head on his shoulder "did she try to fight you, or something?"

Miranda agrees, "That is very important information. I have this feeling like Fryse being a splinter of what he trueself would be - further from it because she is not merged with Eirlys, and even more so because of the contract with the Thallain. It has colored her, whether she likes it or not. Hopefully, with his death, she can be healed within - not just physicially.

"Something like that..." Zeller chuckles at Graham, "Actually, I've never seen any other form from Fryse. I was more than a little confused when we spoke to them in the other form. They have always been kind to me." he shrugs.

Miranda has to ask, "By kind. What do you mean? Because while what I have seen is very limited, I can see it in your face, and expression. It is different from how you spoke when we first met. It could be nothing, but somehow I feel like you and Fryse are closer than we understand. That your version of Fryse is more meaningful somehow. I have to caution, that whatever happens here soon? If the Thallain is killed? Neither our version of Eirlys, not any version any of us have seen of Fryse, will likely be what remains."

Graham chuckles a bit "ah, like the rougher fair of thallain taint? I wont judge, saytr, but make sure your loyalty to your kin is placed first.." it is a bit hard to tell if Graham ment the innuendo as more then a juest, but he does watch Zeller carefully for a moment.

"I know." Zeller replies... sadly? "I am prepared for what must happen, and for whatever the outcome is." he shrugs again. "Maybe Fryse was just lonely after eons of confinement and identified with my longing for freedom. Maybe they just wanted a friend. Or maybe I was just being used. Regardless, I'll be sad to lose what I have gained in them. If I do. I will make sure that no one has to live under the tyranny of fear. Wherever that fear comes from."

Miranda can read between the lines in all of that. "No one should live in fear. Alas, I need to go to inform the other Barons of what is going on, and brief the Countess. Thank you for your diligence and be sure to give Baron Tordwil the .. head." With that she will sweep away to do her duties.

Graham looks to Zeller, grim and forlorn "A word, before we head out?"

Zeller smirks. "...Sure man."

Graham leans in slightly, and a grim, almost icey cold expression comes over him, he seems odd compared to his normally more warm and friendly self "I had told you of my homeland, yes? of the duchy of appalachia?"

"You mentioned it, yeah." Zeller replies quirking an eyebrow at the big man.

"There is a place there, the place where I came into the dreaming from, called the twisted oaks, had you heard of it?" Graham locks eyes with Zeller, a deep, almost pained understnading is conveyed.

"I haven't..." Zeller replies, concern seeping into his voice. "You have something similar happen there, have you seen beast like these?"

Graham nods "The mad king of oaks... he brainwashes fae, to do his bidding....." He taps Zeller gently on the chest "twists their minds into worshiping him.... though I'll admit, he is no thallain.." he shakes his head "I won't try and tell you the right way to go, but I will warn you, guard your loyalties well, ok?"

Zeller shakes his head. "My loyalties are... not at question. Dame Sealgaira who would threaten cold iron against the one she claims to love, maybe. Mine, Not so much. I try to do what's right, not what I'm told is right." He moves over to the head to get ready to move it, "You gonna help me with this thing or am I taking all the credit with Tordwil?"

As if nothing had happened Graham luaghs and lugs the head onto his shoulder "I was thinking you take the credit anyway, say, maybe you chopped it's head clean off!" he bellows and waves one hand infrount of him Lead the way!" and he follows this up with a hushed, back biting remark, high enough for Zeller to hear "And not just becuse I enjoy the veiw from behind you, either."

"Sureee....." Zeller laughs along with the other man. "And I did technically cut its head off... it just happened to be dead already when I did it." he says continuing to laugh. With that, Zeller starts the march back to the Watchtower.