Entering the temple, Radulf found Lili talking with Sigrid, her acolyte. Seeing Radulf, Lili dismissed Sigrid and greeted him.
Does Lili want to go with Radulf on his mission? Ask the Oracle: unlikely, 76+ yes; 87 - yes. Oh. Will she insist? Ask the Oracle: likely, 26+ yes; 33 - yes.
"Priestess," Radulf began. "I've spoken to Erik. There is definitely something not right with him," he continued, sotto voce. "Something distracts him ... consumes him even." Then at a more normal level, but still quietly, "Anyway, I have a plan."
"What is it?" Lili asked in the same quiet tone.
"I've told him I'm going over the wall at midnight. I'll actually go over a watch or so before that - with your help?" he asked.
"Of course, as I'm coming with you," replied Lili with a smile.
"What?!?" splutterd Radulf. "You can't - it's too dangerous, we have no idea what's out there!"
"And that means that it's safe for you and not me?" asked Lili in a far too reasonable tone. In a mock-haughty way, she continued, "Remember, Charun, that I am the Priestess here and you will obey me." She was correct, Radulf had overstepped and Lili was right to remind him, kind even, by delivering the rebuke in a humourous way.
"Yes, Priestess, you are, of course, correct. I apologise," he said contritely. "We will need someone else to help us as I had hoped that you could pull up the rope we'll use after Runbjorn and I had left."
"Sigrid can do that for us," dismissed Lili.
"Good. So, we go over the wall and Sigrid pulls up the rope. Meanwhile we hide ourselves and observe who comes to meet us when we were supposed to go over the wall. We can then follow their tracks back to their camp and see what we find there."
Lili considered for a moment, then spoke, "That sounds acceptable to me Charun - we shall do that." She couldn't maintain the false superciliousness though, and smiled despite herself. Radulf heartily returned the smile ...
This happy moment allows Radulf to Devlop Your Relationship with Lili; progress now 1/10
Note: A 'watch' is about two hours, no wristwatches here
They approached the wall just after the Wall-Warden watch had changed for the last watch before midnight. Lili, went up to speak to the warden first, admonishing her to tell no-one of what was about to occur. Finished speaking to the Warden, she singalled for the others to join her. Moving rapidly, they enacted the plan without speaking - all knew their part, and soon Radulf, Lili and the ever-faithful Runbjorn were moving toward the treeline where they would hide to see who came. The snow had slackened, but still fell, so their tracks would soon be obscured, if not hidden completely.
Enacting the plan counts as
Reach a Milestone: troublesome vow "I will investigate the Varou that attack Woodwatch", progress now 3/10
Radulf arrayed the white sheet they had brought arpund them and the three huddled close, both for warmth and to decrease their silhouette. They did not have too long to wait before their suspicions were confirmed - they could see Varou and their attendant Hyenas approach through the woods and the would-be ambushers arrayed themselves near the edge of the trees where they could observe the village unseen.
Carefully, slowly, the trio moved further into the woods and gradually circled around to bisect the way the Varou had approached Woodwatch. They found the trail and after Radulf had instructed Runbjorn to take the scent - as insurance, they backed off and paralleled the track back the way it came.
Using Runbjorn to
Gather Information: +Wits, +1 Hound; 4 +2 +1 vs. 6 & 3 => strong hit => the path is clear, +2 momentum, now 10 (max)
They followed the tracks and before long, Runbjorn's low growl warned them that they had closed upon it. Lili, being far better at stealth than Radulf stole away for a closer look. Radulf said a prayer to Charun, donned his Mask-of-Charun and readied his Hammer-of-Charun.
As explained at the start of post 14 Radulf now has Masked Ironwood; this is the first time he's used it and it gives +1 on any roll using Iron but, if he rolls a 1 on the action die, he suffers -1 Health in addition to any other move outcome
Lili was soon back, putting her mouth close to Radulf's ear, "Follow me," she whispered. So he did as quietly as he could, which to be honest, wasn't very quiet.
Nevertheless, they managed to get to a point where they could observe the Varou camp - themselves apparently unseen. It was a mess. Rubbish littered a clearing where makeshift lean-tos had been constructed for shelter. The lean-tos were mainly empty - Radulf could see three sleeping Varou. But Lili was pointing to something else. At the far side of the camp there was a human youth tied to a tree. Leaning close to radulf again, Lili whispered, "That's Erik's son - we all believed he died when his mother did." They withdrew slightly to discuss their next step.
Investigating the Varou camp and finding they have leverage on Erik is
Reach a Milestone: troublesome vow "I will investigate the Varou that attack Woodwatch", progress now 6/10
Whispering, their heads close together, Lili began, "You saw Odvir's leg? Missing below the knee?" Radulf winced - he hadn't. "He'll need help to walk, or maybe even need to be carried."
&nbps; "Very well," replied Radulf, "You circle around and free him, I'll watch from this side, as soon as one of them stirs, I'll charge. You get Odvir away, and I'll join you as soon as I can." Initially, Lili made to protest, but then nodded, albeit reluctantly. "As soon as I can, I'll send Runbjorn on to lead you," added Radulf, "but I need him for the initial assault." Lili nodded again and started to move off. Then she stopped and turned back to Radulf.
"Be careful my mighty Charun," she said laying her hand softly on Radulf's. Then she turned and was gone into the woods.