"Would you go because you believe heading for Ungulus now is the best course of action... or is it your wound talking? If it's the wound, but you'd like to continue, I believe we have vis, if someone knows a ritual?"
“The wound… Sionag has helped but it … is a constant ache,” answers Thom.
“I’m no warrior to join Master Janus but I’m not much help as I am now.”
"No one could fault you, Thomas, for heading back to Ungulus to recouperate. I have been trying to decide, myself, if I should go on or return... considering... But I think I wish to continue, the regio of Farnes deserves exploration if nothing else and I must say my curiousity has gotten the best of me."
"Thank you, Betula," nods Thom with a thin smile. "I really don't want to miss the Farnes. Something exciting about the ocean..."
He looks sadly over at Janus before looking back.
"I've made it this far, I can see this expedition through."
Edwin looks hopeful and says "Do you think we will be able to settle there? I hope we can found a solid covenant soon."
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Hamish walks over to stand by Janus, listening to the back and forth among the group before he speaks quietly to Janus.
"You're dead set on going in the morning, then? Not that it's my place, sir, to tell you what needs doin', but seems a shame to get this far and not see the journey through to the end. The Diedne look to me like they're pulling back. They had plenty of chances to strike us near Wicker Hill but we saw nought of 'em there really. Young master Thom said they saw a giant retreating north over the Wall. The war could be shifting stances. May not be a bad idea for you to journey east to the coast to see if we see sign of the Diedne there and along the way. Might be just as servicable as heading back to Ungulus."
The tall man looks over at the rest of the crew.
"And honestly, Master Janus, the group needs you. Ain't a warrior among your sodales. Not really. Not sure me, Jack, and the Pomeranians can keep 'em all safe. Just sayin'."
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‘Shit, shit shit, shitttttttt.” Screams Janus in response. As he slowly calms down he mumbles to himself “I am not a nurse maid or a body guard. I am a warrior of Flambau, warrior of Flambau, enemy of Diedne until death. Fine I’ll finish this journey and then make my own way. You are a brave man to question me Hamish, but I thank you for it” replies Janus in a firmer voice
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Turold chimes in. "My preference would be to settle anywhere near Sherwood. It's my home, I'm tied to that forest, and I'll be most useful nearby. The baths regio was interesting, but I have no clue how to handle the elementals. It's not a safe place to consider, unless some of you have magic to destroy or control the stray elementals. Blackpool would work well if outside of Sherwood. Perhaps Winter Copse... Lise, the spirit votary, intrigues me. But the further away we go, the more difficult it will be for me to access vis. Unless I learn to fly, that is."
Hamish simply nods to Janus, the nod of comrades and soldiers who know the difficulty of war. The giant of a man listens to Turold, nodding for a moment.
"Master Thadeus, do you still have the cloak that spy was wearing? Sounds like Goodman Turold here could use it for his work. Would let him fly where he needs to, that's sure and true."
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"I do," answers Thadeus, turning to Turold, "and you could certainly use it. But I will caution you about it. Its magic is a powerful one, and each time you use it some of the magic will accumulate in your body. Eventually, it might change you, manifesting through some abilities. Mostly bad ones, though some good ones may be possible. We magi call the process Warping, it that is what eventually claim most of the older magi, instead of great age." He shakes his head, "Each use of this cloak will afflict you with as much of this warping as we do over a year. So I think it should only be used for emergencies, not for casual travel."
"The spy was probably not warned about it, for the Diedne have little care for the ordinary folk, from what I've seen."
On the topic of the Farnes and the other possible sites, Thadeus says, "I, too, am doubtful about settling this far north. We'd be oth more vulnerable and more isolated from our sodales. Not all of us can travel so easily as our friend here," he nods towards Cath'rinne with a grin.
"And these islands are even further north than here. But I am willing to explore them before expressing a preference. So far it looks like none of the sites are perfect for our purposes, so it will be a question of what is more important for each of us, and how much compromise we are willing to accept in order to stay together."
"So let's leave as soon as we can. Winter is coming, and I'd as soon not get caught on the road when the first snow begins." He gazes off to the north, his face grave, maybe remembering some past experience.
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"You use cloaks to fly, uh? We tend to use brooms for personal use, or potions sometimes, when we need to assist someone without a broom to fly. But I haven't learned to do that yet. And I know how warping works magi, and I thank you for the warning." answers Turold. "Bad moons are not something I'm eager to rush into so yeah, I guess I won't use this everyday."
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"No offense intended, but we haven't had a chance to speak much before," Thadeus smiles, "so I had no idea you were aware of warping. I hope we get a chance to talk a bit more about your group during our trip."
"Some magi use their magic to transform themselves to travel, others fly, and some simply transport themselves instantaneously from one place to another. Some do this using innate abilities, like Cath'rinne here, but most use either spells that they cast or magical items that they enchant. Each mode has its own limits and advantages. What makes Hermetic magic so powerful is that we usually have many ways to accomplish a given task."
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Hamish steps up to others gathered together near the fire.
"I suggest we head out at first light. Our scouts are top notch, so we should be able to make good time north up the coast to the Farnes without too much trouble. We should have victual enough to get us there but may need to trade once there."
The big soldier frowns slightly.
"But the Carpathian Gate... I'm not sure we should seek it out before winter." [Roll: Area Lore Scotland 11, trying to get a better sense of location than what's on the Google Map right now which shows it North of Edinburh and Glasgow... Which sounds like it could be in the heart of Diedne territory.]
"Hum... I'm not sure how I can do it. But, yes, that seems like a young potential maga more than an apprentice. Lead a covenant during some seasons sounds like a very good gauntlet, maybe more difficult than some inside my house. I think I would like travel to Ungulus and meet the young lady."
She hears about pain and wounds.
"You are still in pain, Thom ? May I check you health ?"
[If he let me do, I do a "Revealed flaws of mortal flesh", formulaïc, automatic casting]
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Cath'rinne nods. "We can't visit Carpathian Gates before winter, and at this point, I find it unlikely we'll want to settle there anyhow. I would postpone any visit."
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Betula thinks about the proposed plans for a moment then says, "Yes, I am more curious about these Isles than the Gates. I would agree we should explore the isles and wait for fairer seasons to explore more."
As the party travels Betula casts Intuition of the Forest upon herself and forages as they travel to supplement the groups's rations.
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Thom nods to Sionag. "Please." He allows himself to be examined.
Hamish calls out to Jack.
"Let's get things packed and ready to load at first light so we can be on the move ahead of the weather."
He also seeks out the Pomeranians.
"You both do good work. Impressive. Are you ok with scouting ahead and doing some hunting as we travel to the Farnes? The further north we get, the greater the risk... If the Diedne are still about. So we could use your skills for sure. And I suspect Lady Cath'rinne will be scouting from above."
Sasso looks up at the giant man, whose tone has improved over the weeks. Still, he has trouble understanding him, for the giant's words are not said quite the same as way as Thadeus'. He looks at his sister, who both shrugs and nods. They don't need to consult each other, they know their twin well.
"We go north and east, yes?" He asks Hamish, "More danger, fine. Reach... seam? Big water? Yes. See danger. Hunt. We go now."
The maga touches him to use a « revealed the mortal flesh », her formulaic spell to diagnose the issue. She hopes help him.