The journey past the Forbidden Stones was far less mystical and more physically dangerous. Though any serious injury was avoided, there were a few scares, slips and slides on the way to the summit of the Pass, and once there, they were confronted by mule riders and their dogs. The leader of the group, Garth, escorted them down to the Valley, a place that seems unseasonably warm, existing in that first harvest time between summer and fall. Not terribly atypical, but certainly noteworthy. He spoke of the matriarch, Valesha, leading the group with their peacebonded (or seemingly) peacebonded weapons to a Shrine. Inside the covered niche is the statue of a child, a boy somewhere between 10 and 12 years old, painted in an eerie mimicry of life. Every detail singularly perfect. At his feet are offerings, toys, food, flowers, and next to the offerings, the Mother Valesha, kneeling in prayer.

As the group arrives she finishes her worship and gets to her feet. She is of middling age, late thirties, with dark russet hair and warm honey brown eyes. She looks them over intently and then looks to Garth, "Newcomers?" He nods and she looks back to the group. "Most heed the warnings and do not enter this place. What makes you different?"

Ian has been sticking close to his wife, and continues to do so. He radiates a decidedly understated protective presence, but is protective all the same, protection that he'll extend to anyone who sticks close to him. After having been given a couple of whispered warnings, he's taken a 'wait and see' attitude, but he's alert. His eyes move constantly, taking in the area, anything that might be used as an obstacle or a barricade, all of the ways in/out, who's here (including on balconies and rooftops), and what they're doing. He doesn't seem to be paying a whole lot of attention to the actual conversation, but the matriarch does get an uncomfortably long look.

Scout Nova momentarily glances toward Sir Floppington to check out what the good boy might be up to right now. Is he still playing with the other dogs, or does he seem bristly now that they are in the current presence of Valesha? Also, much like Ian, Rowenova scouts out the various defenses/escapes, too.

Lucita studies her surroundings using primarily her peripheral vision. She listens to the woman from where she stands adjacent to Zoey. After listening to the comments between Garth and Valesha she simply asks. "Different? In what regards do you mean?"

As they walk to the village, Alessia seems to be keeping her attention on the guard Jules had noticed, though her demeanor remains friendly as ever. She raises a brow on spotting the woman by the shrine. "The desire for answers, messere." She responds simply.

Ian checked perception + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 10 higher.

Not wanting to add confusion to the conversation by having too many voices speak for the group as once, Zoey stands quietly beside Lucita for now, both ladies within the aura of Ian's protection. Her expression remains calm and composed, even as her eyes scan the statue and the offerings laid at its feet.

Zoey checked perception + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 7 higher.

Valesha looks between Lucita and Alessia, before brushing off her hands. "Answers? What answers are you seeking that would bring you this far into the mountains? What drew you here?" The woman answers with questions of her own. She is clearly not happy, but there is no aggression in her. She simply looks to them, as if expecting answers.

Lucita nods ever so slightly to something Rowenova says to her. She focuses her abilities on projecting a serene, non-threatening demeanor. She reaches up to her hair, idly tucking a wayward curl behind one ear while the fingertips lightly touch and confirm locations of her hairpins though carefully, no motions that could be perceived as aggressive are taken. It is with an attempt at tact she says. "There has been trouble between some of the Shav tribes neighboring us. And some of the aggressive ones attacking our borders and other Shav tribes. We have been investigating those difficulties and in doing so found the path leading here." And there should be a ring of truth in her words because the words are, in fact, true.

After what Rowenova tells Lucita, the scout wryly smirks. She makes sure the /actual reason/ is 'out there' before ultimately dropping her random joke: "When we approached the signs, they were so crusty that I thought they said something about coming here for dinner..." That would be so like Nova ... to scale the highest mountains just for Free Food. "I jest, though."

Jules holds out a bit of haze to the guard he had been sitting with and gesturing towards Alessia. He's talking rather softly and making an hourglass figure but the man is keeping it more discrete in his questions, looking for information with regards to the situation here, what's different. Jules is rather cheerful, or at least friendly through most of this. He alters his expression based on what the man is communicating to him through his own interaction.

Valesha listens to each voice in turn, though Rowenova's jest sees a slight twitch come to the corners of the Mother's lips. "Your humor is appreciated, but now is not the time." She returns her attention to Lucita, her honey gaze lingering there with a weight. "You speak of shavs and borders, so I take it you are of the Compact? Who have they sent to test the strength of our resolve and our courage? They with their false gods who demand obedience without reward. Who demand sacrifice with no gain? Who are you? Names, ranks and alliegences." There is a pause, "Please."

Attention tearing from Jules in time to offer Valesh a warm smile, Alessia offers an introduction. "Lady Alessia Mazetti, glaivedancer of Ostria." She says easily enough, as if the woman should know what that means.

Jules checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 30, rolling 25 higher.

Nova wolfishly grins after Valesha's appreciation, but then nods slightly. Glancing back to Lucita and Valesha, she curiously listens but then the merry expression is suddenly gone after the names/ranks/allegiances request which means it is time to go play with the dogs. Such good boys and good girls!

Lucita's voice has a gentle yet firm tone in it as she replies. "I did so speak. Anyone who comes into one of the towns or villages for whom I try to care and kills people, robs them, loots... can not in good conscience be ignored. I am of the Compact and regent for the Barony of Saikland Greens to your east. For five years we have had no difficulties, neither us invading them nor they bothering us... till recently." She projects the same care for her people that this woman seems to for hers. "These are my friends and allies."

Name, rank, and allegiance? Something about phrasing a request for introduction in such a way makes Zoey uneasy, but when there comes a break for her to add her own introduction she says, "Lady Zoey Kennex nee Bisland, Voice of Stormward and Minister of Coin. And this is my husband, Lord Ian Kennex, Sword of Stormward and Commander of Thrax Special Forces." She adds that last part with a gesture to her husband.

Ian nods when Zoey introduces him, but otherwise doesn't speak. This moment is probably the most engaged with the conversation that he's been so far, and it doesn't last. After the nod, he immediately goes back to his constant scan of the surroundings. He doesn't exactly cut an impressive figure.

Reigna casts an affronted look to Lucita, drawing herself up to her full height -- and she is tall for a woman. "Do I look like I need to steal or rob anyone, Regent for the Barony of Saikland Greens?" Valesha lifts her chin, "My people are not common *rabble*. They have no need of anything from out *there*." She casts an angry gesture towards the pass. "Look around you. Does it look like these people need anything?" And now that it has been mentioned... the people of this village are all tall, well built and do not look like any random Abandoned village. They are well dressed, though their materials are not any of the new luxury textiles, they do wear silk, linen and wool. They possess jewelry and gemstones, they all are well fed, strong, healthy. The gardens in this place are abundant, incredibly so. The produce is of higher quality than even Zoey has ever seen in her youth as a lady of a Crownlands duchy. Everything about this place is nearly opulent, so long as it is something produced within this valley or the surrounding mountains. Valesha looks to Zoey, then Ian, and Alessia. "So I have a crop of nobles." Now she looks annoyed, "And that will not do. If there were simply one of you... but a group of this size... they will come looking for you."

As she pets the dogs, the rebel-vs-naming Nova quietly scans this whole place, doing so with a discerning gaze of her cobalt blues.

"I noticed you were doing well for yourself during the trip here." Alessia says, without looking around. "But given that the map lead us here, we figured you might have an idea of what was happening." She raises her brow at the mention of people 'searching for them'. "And why would that be a problem?" She asks with a smile of innocence.

Jules chit-chats with the guard, he's just one of the grunts of his own sort. He's largely not focused on the the conversation with the nobles. He's talking here and there about some of the various women about. At the voice raising of Valesh he softens a bit but tries to keep himself as at ease as he can. He motions to the bag he holds and asks if the man wants anything to drink while he tries to keep things calm among those around.

Alessia checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 25, rolling 39 higher.

Domonico steps forward at Valesha's not so- veiled threat and places himself near Lucita. Lord Domonico Malvici, Admiral of Southport." His spear, Raptor's Reach, is held like a walking staff currently and he is his full war attire, helm tucked under his arm currently.

Lucita's gaze narrows as the woman speaks to her. Her shoulders and arms tense slightly though her voice remains calm as she replies bluntly. "And how is one to know what was here in this valley till after topping the mountain?"

Mirk watches the conversation with the a frown on his face, folding his arms over his chest. "Lord Mirk Halfshav," he supplies, stressing the noble title. "You're correct. If we were to go missing, Houses from all across the continent will be interested in finding us. So we might as well converse in a civilized manner, rather than trading threats. I admit to curiosity about your ways." His eyes settle on the statue of the boy, making it clear what he means.

Jules makes a rather caricature gesture of a bust and then tries to gesture Alessia over if he can get her attention with a waggle of his eyebrows. He's largely still cheerful and hands the bottle to the guard and makes a holding gesture as he then makes a gesture of the hips towards Lucita as he starts to head over if he can. He waggles his eyebrows as he backs up with a shh'ing finger in front of his lips and a mischievous grin.

Valesha's jaw sets and she looks over towards the pass, her head shaking, anger visible on her face. "My people never harmed yours," This is directed towards Lucita, a thin and angry blade within her voice. "Everything, *everything* we do is to avoid visitors. But no. Your greedy Compact acts as though you own everything! You take and you take, consuming all for your rancid gods." She is upset, clearly, lips pursed. "Tell me, how did you find the path to the pass? I have a few of my people infiltrating the local tribes, they are supposed to keep the barrier going, keep the locals fighting one another to keep your people away from here."

Have we forgotten about Ian? It'd be easy to do, honestly. He's not really making much of an impression, standing there like he is, mute. Looking around. Constantly. At everything. While he stands next to Lucita.

Alessia's attention shifts from Valesha to Jules, noting his indication. She studies the guard for a moment, giving him a smile, though doesn't shift from her position. Especially not with the leader's next few words. Her features almost seem to flare with fury, though she clenches her fists to retain her composure, merely staring at the woman. Leaving it for Lucita or the others to respond to.

From over here with the dog petting, Nova pipes up, "Why do you hate the Gods of the Pantheon, or the Compact as you say? Did they do something to you?"

Lucita's voice is even firmer than before, aware of Jules' antics from seeing in peripheral vision but carefully not drawing attention to his canny distraction efforts to the guards. "So you have infiltrators in the local Shavs, agitating discord to them, fighting each other... which spilled over into our lands. You. You are the cause of catching our attention, you are the cause of our being here now." A quick glance around notes where each guard, each weapon, each exit, and each person with the group is standing before looking back toward the woman confronting her. And to Rowneova's question she nods, echoing her question by the visible question. She speaks in a very discrete low tone to some near her.

Jules walks over towards Mirk, rather than Lucita and whispers into him, making a curvy gesture on his hips and motioning to Lucita. He moves to hand Mirk a few coins and seems to make a mildly pleading gesture......

Mirk stares at Valesha, his frown deepening as she insults the gods. Shaman or not, it seems he takes offense to that. "'Keep the barrier going?'" He asks suddenly. "That's a rather particular turn of phrase. I find myself curious about your meaning."

"A barrier between us and them." Alessia says tightly, though she seems to have forced herself to a little more calm. "Apparently."

Mirk checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 25, rolling 41 higher.

Zoey checked charm + diplomacy at difficulty 30, rolling 20 higher.

Valesha looks to Lucita and sets her jaw. "This is no new thing to lay at my feet, Regent. This has been the way for generations. We have lived in this valley untouched by disease, drought, famine or inclement weather for seven hundred years. We keep our distance by sending members out into the world to keep the knowledge of this Valley secret. To keep the eyes of others turned away from this place." She looks to Mirk as he mentions her words. "We call it the barrier the stones warn others away. We have our spies that keep the other tribes focused elsewhere. They are never supposed to draw attention to this place. None of my people would be responsible for attracting the Compact's scruitany."

Mirk listens to his explanation. Before he has any commentary, he's interrupted by Jules. There's a blink, a moment's hesitation, and then he cracks Jules across the face with one gloved hand. Fortunately for him, he's not the strongest of men; it's more of an offhanded gesture than something likely to hurt him. "Enough, Jules," he says, turning to his other companions, speaking a few quiet words with them, seemingly as if he was interrupted by the unfortunate commoner. After that brief exchange, he says, "I see. Thank you."

Sensing the rising tension between Lucita and Valesha, Zoey calmly speaks up. "Clearly the escalation in violence that led to our discovery of this paradise was never the intent," she points out to Lucita, nodding to Valesha in acknowledgement of this. "Let us not allow our passions to get the better of us and have things escalate further. As I understand it, we want peace in Compact-controlled lands, and the people who call this valley home want to continue living in peace, prosperity, and autonomy. Let's start from what we have in common and go from there."

Murmuring something quietly to those around her, in response, Alessia swivels around quickly when Jules is hit on the face. She blinks a few times, glancing between him and Mirk, raising her brow. "Yes, let us not." She adds to Zoey's point, though with a little wry amusement tinging her words.

Lucita quietly remains stands, her gaze flicking just enough to ensure all remain within her view. She keeps a serene expression and remains silent seeing what response comes to the others.

After what Jules does, Nova side eyes him. After seeing Mirk take care of the situation at hand, most literally, she turns away and focuses on Puppy Dogs! Getting out some treats (one each for each dog here), she slowly doles those 'plain ones' out here. Then, the young scout hugs close her direwolf cloak. Probably hunting for more treats... maybe? She fidgets around under her direwolf cloak, as she tells those dogs, "I have more, but you have to wait until later for those!" Yep, later.

Domonico has his attention seemingly focused on the negotiations/diplomacy before him but a close observer would note him assessing the location and the peoples around. Mirk's smacking of Jules earns the Halfshav a nod of respect.

Oh look, Ian can speak. After Lucita addresses him, he replies in a low voice, little more than a rumble. All that can really be heard of it is the incredibly thick Isles accent that might sound like a foreign language to someone who's never heard it before. He doesn't really change expression, though. Not through any of this. Still, it's a pretty good guess that he's relaying whatever his relentless scan of the area revealed to him.

The whispering is setting Valesha's nerves to a fraying point -- she seems ready to escalate, a hand moving to the dagger at her hip, the guards stepping nearer. It is Zoey's words that have her stop, her attention focused on the Kennex Lady and Valesha takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Yes. But I must ask you to stop whispering. It reeks of conspiracy." Mirk slapping Jules draws her attention, her brows furrowed in confusion. Garth moves towards Rowenova as she begins feeding the dogs, "Stop that. I do not know what you are giving them." Valesha frowns again and says, "Enough! Alright. This is a mess that must be rectified and will be right now. Obviously we cannot keep you here against your will. But I cannot, I *will* not, endanger my people to the corruption of your Compact."

Stumbling backwards several steps, Jules flails his arms about trying to maintain his balance. Thankfully Mirk is perhaps not the strongest but as well he's fairly well balanced. He looks at his coin purse then to Mirk but decides not to press the issue and makes his way over towards the guard. As he does, he shakes his head negatively with a sigh and he sits back down. He makes a gesture towards Alessia and gives a hushed whisper to the man, "He won't help but I still think we gotta chance with the other. Got any emeralds?" He then moves back to the man and speaks more softly but is rubbing the spot where he had been slapped.

Lucita says, "Seven hundred years. Take the time to tell us of your people here, your beliefs and why you are so against the Pantheon, please." Lucita uses a calm, non-confrontational tone of voice and lets some of her charm filter into it. "We would like to know if you will share that.""

"I'm glad you feel that way." Alessia says with nod when the woman speaks of not holding them against their will. She seems prepared to say something else but Lucita asks a compelling questions, so she quietens in anticipating the response. The mention of emeralds seems to capture her attention too, she gives Jules a quizzical look.

Nova pulls her hands up out of the cloak enclosing her and shows off what is a 'plain' treat to Garth there. "This!" It is a small dehydrated-like meatball, and since it is of the 'plain' variety, she goes ahead and tosses it over toward Sir Flop who gobbles that up. Of course, she saves her other treats, those with additional 'flavors' for a later time, stowed away in a pouch.

Lucita checked charm + diplomacy at difficulty 30, rolling 23 higher.

Mirk shoots Jules a look, raises an eyebrow, and doesn't answer that one. The other man has exhausted his willingness to help. "Rectified? What, precisely, does that mean?" He asks, in a tone that suggests he has suspicions and doesn't like that. "I'm open to solutions. Even if I am curious, myself."

"Perhaps we could move to a more suitable location?" Zoey suggests. "We cannot take back the fact that we disrupted your prayers, but we can at least leave your shrine in peace before we continue the conversation."

Garth watches Rowenova and, still frowning, nods. "Do not feed our dogs. They are not used to outside food. If they get sick, I'll take your hand." He grunts and moves back to his men, arms crossed and glowering. Valesha looks over and frowns, "No need for threats at the moment, Garth." She looks back to Lucita and huffs, "I am against anything that demands obediance and refuses to protect its people in turn." Valesha crosses her arms over her chest and looks vaguely mutinous. This is a stubbornness born generations ago. Taught and passed down for who knows how long. She looks to Zoey and then nods slowly. "There is a table not far. I will have food brought. Come." She moves off towards a nearby garden, at the center of which, sure enough, is a table with benches enough for everyone to sit.

Ian motions Nova back over to the group. "Stay close," he admonishes. Probably admonishes. There's no inflection in his voice, so it's hard to be sure of his intent.

Domonico nods to Ian and moves to the other side of the group to the Kennex, protecting the other flank and making sure that any threat to the others will be met by him first.

Nova quietly okays after what Garth says, until he gets to that one part concerning taking her hand. "You would really marry me?" There is an edge to what she asks there, since he surely did not mean to suggest bodily harm, or did he? Ian speaks up, and Nova looks up with a slight nod and then does the angling action which suggests she is ready to follow, which she does because their group is moving to the garden now.

Mirk follows after Valesha, and as the group walks, he says quietly to his companions, "It's the shrine." He's not precisely whispering, but he isn't drawing attention to his comments, either. "The spirits will not approach it. That is what disturbs them about this place." Then he falls silent, walking and keeping his eyes open.

Jules looks absolutely elated at something the guard says and he says, "Raspberries?" His eyes look around and he talks more softly but more audible none the less, "Do you do anything particular with them here or just eat them raw?" He shakes his head slowly and says, "But peaches, I can't remember the last time I had one of those." He seems slightly as though he's daydreaming then asks, "Do you do those in wines to?" He this sounds like this is a serious question, "Oh, I love fruit!" That is excited but not loud.

Zoey follows after Valesha to take a seat at the table within conversation distance of the other woman, but is sure to stay within range of Ian rather than running off into potential danger without him.

Lucita:moves with the others toward the seemingly more neutral area. She nods to Ian and Mirk as they walk along. As she takes a seat she says "I do wonder on what grounds it is said they do not protect. "The tones are again non-confrontational, just expressing polite curiosity. "And tell us of your beliefs?"

Ian watches the surroundings less while actually walking. Especially after the long trek up the mountain, there's no hiding that there's something really wrong with his gait -- it's not a limp, but it's hard to put a finger on exactly what it is, other than the sense that he walks strangely -- and he watches his own footsteps like every step is a conscious act. He wasn't kidding about wanting to keep an eye on Rowenova, even when they settle at the table, he make sure she's close to him, Zoey, and Lucita.

And that, Rowenova does. She stays close to the Kennex nobles and Lucita, and certainly takes a seat near them. Of course, she never lets Mirk out of her visible range. Her Halfshav will not go without being overwatched, of course.

Trailing along silently beside Lucita, Alessia glances at Valesha expectantly.

Once everyone is settled, Valesha motions for someone to go fetch a meal and she looks back to the others seated at the table. "The stories told by the elders are very clear. In the before time, before the Eternal Child blessed this valley, we were like any other place. Feast or famine, a fluke of weather could mean empty bellies and a hard winter. They prayed and prayed to the gods for relief and none ever came. The land would sometimes be fertile, more often it produced just enough to scrape by. But then the Quiet One came. And he told them he could ensure that no one who lived here would ever go hungry. No one would ever get sick. The water would be clean and pure forever. That our gardens and farms would know bounty like no other place."

Zoey nods along as she listens attentively, then asks, "And what did the Quiet One ask in return for such gifts?"

Mirk listens, nodding his head. He doesn't seem like he knew already, so much as the fact that he vaguely suspected. "Yes, what is the cost?" He asks in as neutral a tone as he can manage. Tension probably comes through loud and clear, though not hostility. "Such blessings are never wholly free."

Domonico frowns at the mention of the 'Quiet One', his eyes flitting over Valesha's face as she explains.

Lucita's glance slips back toward the shrine and then to Valesha. She says nothing argumentive but listens before speaking. Others have asked the questions she would have.

Ian goes on looking generally unconcerned; his isn't the calm of someone controlling more powerful emotions. He seems pretty well at peace with this situation, even with the things that are being said about the gods. He goes on with looking around, starting with a long look at the table, and then on to the layout of the area, the people surrounding them.

"No, such gifts are never free." Valesha agrees, looking away, in the direction of the Shrine that they left. Before she can answer, several servants arrive, bearing heavy trays laden with an incredible array of food. Loaves of bread, churned butter, several varieties of cheese. A variety of plump fruit, from apples to cherries, berries, items that are never in season together, sitting side by side on the platter. Valesha gestures and says, "You will never taste anything like it. Go on, eat."

Painbow, a militant pygmy goat arrives, delivering a message to Mirk before departing.

Jules is moving along with the others, if they're concerned and curious, he's trying to be almost the opposite. He attempts to look engaged and interested, friendly, examining what he's show. He is trying to be the perfect guest, in essence. Trying to be pleasing in any and every respect. He's no noble though so he's more staying back where he ought to belong.

"What are you giving him in return, messere?" Alessia asks, having taken a seat beside the baroness, her glaive resting right by her feet. She leans forward, elbow on the table, as if she's listening to merely a fascinating tale.

Alessia checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 17 higher.

Rowenova checked perception + alchemy at difficulty 15, rolling 69 higher. Rowenova rolled a critical!

Lucita checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 20 higher.

Mirk checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 27 higher.

Ian checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 42 higher.

Domonico checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 25 higher.

Zoey checked perception + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 22 higher.

Domonico raises a hand to the others at the offer of the food, indicating the others should wait a moment as he picks some of the fruit and takes a bite from it.

Ian braces himself on the table and uses upper body strength to push himself to his feet. With none of Domonico's concern for the food, he slides a loaf of bread over to himself and begins to slice it up, a thick, fragrant piece for everyone present. Including, of course, their hostess. Ian is helping. He's a helper.

The food is... extraordinary. There is nothing harsh or unnatural about any of it. The scents coming off it are divine. The vegetables are crisp and flavorful, the breads and crackers are perfect in texture. The fruit is glorious. There is literally nothing on that table that could be purchased anywhere in Arvum. It is incomparable. There is a fortune resting on the table, being treated as if it were nothing special at all. The ruit that Domonico selects is perfectly firm in his hand. The skin gives with a snap and the moment the juices touch his tongue it is... unspeakably good. There is no odd aftertaste, and other than being craveably delicious, no peculiar sensations hit him.

Nova cannot help the sudden smile which ultimately overakes her when all the impressive food is brought out and laid out before them. She happily acquires several bites of each/every item on the provided plate! Of course, there are discerning senses going on here. Those who know her fairly well can see the analytical consideration to not only the food itself but also the items by which it is being served (beverage and food alike). But, after she has that full plate, the Wolf Scout deftly activates the provided utensils in despite those shiny gauntlets which only add to the eating flare. The first bite is absolutely glorious and brings out a pleased groan, too.

Zoey plucks a raspberry from the bowl and puts it in her mouth while Ian slices the bread. After she swallows it she says to Valesha, "This is wonderful! Everything seems so perfect here."

Jules nearly immediately pops the fruit in his mouth and catches himself before he can and gives a quick, "Oh, forgive me my lord." He states as he nearly ate before the others. He blushes slightly. When the opportunity comes for him to eat though, he's cheerfully ready to join in the festivities too. He chit-chats with anyone he might be near. The man looks as though he's at a feast or party. He looks quite genuinely happy.

Valesha takes the slice of bread offered to her, slathers it in butter and takes a bite. After she's swallowed, she looks to Alessia and Mirk. "They needed an offering. Something dear and precious and unique. So they gave him the Son. A child raised by the village as a whole. Beloved by each person who lived here. The boy was given, and to this day he stands guardian over the promise. He is our Eternal Child. A symbol and a promise. We share our harvests with him. And he has never failed us."

Once the bread is completely sliced and handed around (Ian really is a good hand with a knife), Ian sets the knife down, and eases himself back into his seat.

"Well isn't this a treat?" Alessia smiles at the quality of food served to them. She piles her plate with fruit and the bread Ian so kindly sliced up before giving Valesha an attentive nod. "I see. And is this beloved child around?" She glances from side to side, a smile in place.

Domonico hmms at the taste before he places the fruit down on the plate before him, quietly astounded by the taste but unwilling to let himself get too distracted. "And... who exactly is this 'Quiet One'?"

Mirk had been holding off, taking only a few bites, as if sampling the food. Once Valesha explains, he looks as if he loses his appetite entirely, pushing his food away. "I cannot partake in this," he says flatly. "It's tainted. All of it. The spirits will tolerate no act of human sacrifice." He nods his head to Domonico. "But I'd like the answer to that, too."

Lucita is Lycene, naturally suspicious and cautious. As if to share in the feast, she carefully extracts a bottle of wine from the pack she carries and sets it where it can be contributed to the meal. She occupies herself with opening the bottle and finding glasses as she listens but does not eat as yet. A tip of the head. "The child was 'given' how?" She quietly says with a small smile as she listens.

Light, spongey, airy, and still warm, this bread is nothing like the stale bread with incidental weevil protein Ian ate aboard ships as a child, nor is it the heavy, grainy bread he's used to in Arx, and that might have a lot to do with the weird look he gives it when it squidges in his hand. He takes a bite, and gives the bread another odd look as he chews. One bite of that is enough, apparently.

"I knew the sign said we were welcome to dinner!" Though, the merry mien which clearly overtook Nova suddenly falls off the happy wagon. "Oh." says she to that particular story. Her feasting energy dies down in a complete way here. Then, she just stares at the impressive food but does not actually eat more.

Lucita glances toward Mirk, her gaze rising to meet his. She has yet to have taken a bite due to her getting out the wine and such processes. Her hands rest on the table, one adjacent to the sharp bread slicing knife while she glances back to the priestess.

"And we do not tolerate talk of spirits and their nonsense. We have no need of them here." Valesha says, looking to Mirk. "It bothers me not at all if you wish to go hungry. I will not force hospitality upon you." The Mother looks to the others, to Domonico she shrugs, "The stories simply call him the Quiet One, or, sometimes, the Messenger." To Alessia she tilts her head and says, "Of course he is. You saw him in the shrine."

"The statue." Studying the woman, Alessia suddenly asks with a faint smile. "Do you know a Reybendis?" She studies Valesha's expression. "Putting the pieces together, it appears he was one of your men told to infiltrate the Steelquills."

"So nothing changes," Ian concludes, while he selects a ripe peach. He turns it over in his head, and then looks at the oranges next to it. He's ostensibly maybe talking to their hostess, but really he's probably just talking to himself. "No seasons, every day pretty much the same as the last. I know people who'd love a life like that." Then he bites into the peach. The big, ripe, juicy peach. Just bites into it like it's an apple. He strangles a curse as juice explodes EVERYWHERE.

"Reybendis was one of ours, yes. A victim of the lottery that sent him outside. He was due to end his tour soon. I expect his return any week now." Valesha says with a nod to Alessia. To Ian she lifts a shoulder, "There is some variation, but every day is a harvest, each day we have plenty."

Domonico rubs his chin as he listens carefully, very focused on her answers before his attention switches to Ian's peach troubles and he half smiles before seriousness intrudes at mention of Reybendis.

Lucita says, "So it is not a statue but a child, frozen, preserved as he is... for seven hundred years, in 'stasis'."

"A valley frozen in time," Zoey murmurs. She glances at Ian, only in part because of the mess he just made, and hands him a napkin. She makes sure to gain his eye contact before letting go though, adding, "A world in stasis."

Although Nova surely has her lovely wooden togo boxes in her Messenger Bag, the upset scout does not even get THOSE out now. "How is it that all your plants are growing up to become... this?" She motions out to the spread before her.

Jules might have kept eating, maybe not but the mention of stories, Jules looks almost immediately engrossed and he says, "Stories?" His tone is soft and he lightly claps his hands, perhaps he'd not been paying too close of attention before. He's cheerfully entranced and listening, still a good guest even if he's paused his eating momentarily, too focused on a story!

"Petrification is his signature," Mirk says in an undertone. He isn't eating anything put in front of him, a deep frown on his face. "So how did you plan to clean up this mess, as you put it? Telling us of your ways is appreciated, but I can't help but wonder."

Lucita shakes her head generally though her gaze goes straight to Alessia. Again she listens to whatever reply comes to all the questions and comments.

Flinching just a little as peach splatters near her, a few droplets landing on her leathers, Alessia keeps her attention on Valesha. "I'd like to hear the story too."

Ian looks genuinely dismayed at the remains of the peach explosion. He takes the napkin from Zoey, and is a lot more careful with the rest of the food. For some people, there's such a thing as -too- high quality.

"That is the question, is it not?" Valesha replies, leaning back in her chair as she looks to the rest of them. "I have a number of options at my disposal." The woman's expression is solemn, serious. "You are all welcome to remain here in this blessed valley so long as you accept our ways. You would not be able to communicate with the outside world, save to send letters telling them that you are not coming back. I doubt any of you are willing to make that choice." There is a dryness to her voice that indicates she knows this is not happening. "I could kill you all. Certainly the most wasteful option and not one I would choose if other options are viable." She looks around the group once more and says, "We could come to an understanding. You leave here and swear upon your sacred gods never to return, never to tell another soul about this place."

"Would you allow us some time to consider your offer and possibly counter it with terms of our own?" asks Zoey.

Nova cannot help the grunty undertone, "And everyone here is 700 years old, right? And that was /your/ child who was petrified, doomed to be in stasis, restricted for centuries, and not able to live his life, bound as a statue, plus I bet it was against /his/ free will, and that he cried to you, right?" With welling tears which do not yet fall, Nova lowly growls. "What a loophole that you conveniently have here. You are lucky because there are rules, unbreakable rules, for even /existing/." Another growl, "Or, maybe you are actually breaking them, and no one has pointed it out to those, those, those. Ugh!" She cuts off there and does not even name whatever /those/ are.

Lucita says, "I'm going to lower my voice a moment to confer with some of those with me regarding the options you have presented me." She then lowers her voice to speak to some closest to her."

Raising her brows at Rowenova's outburst, Alessia turns to Lucita with a small nod with regards to conferring quietly.

When Nova goes off on a mini rant, Sir Floppington gently noses her there, like hey pet me and feel better. Of course, she certainly does pet him.

Reigna looks to Rowenova and her eyes narrow. "No. I am thirty-nine, thank you very much. We live and die as any man ought. A little longer, perhaps? But we eat well and the air is good here. As for the boy, I cannot say how his last minutes were. But if you look at him, you can see he looks peaceful."

Mirk says quielty, not intended to carry as far as Valesha's ears, "The spirits here are furious. Human sacrifice has defiled the land. I cannot, in good conscience, swear an oath to protect their secrets. I am willing to back any plan, but this isn't a good situation, and perhaps we'd like to hear from our warriors about our prospects?"

Lucita stays quiet as the group confers, listening to them as she tries to assess the number of guards, fight capable people, their nearness and the priestess.

There is a nod to Zoey from Valesha. "I will be leaving guards at the perimeter of this garden. For the time being, enjoy your privacy." With that, mother Valesha gets up and heads away, leaving them free to talk.

Even with everyone gone, Ian speaks in a low voice that doesn't carry far at all. In fact, he could be talked over right here at the table with no trouble. "I won't swear an oath that broad, and I won't leave you behind, Baroness. But -- Look. These people don't understand that what they're doing is wrong. From their perspective, we're coming in preaching about the gods and spirits and telling them that the gods want them to suffer and the spirits take personal offense that they never go hungry. It's still wrong, and I'll back you up. But we'll be acting pretty much exactly how they've been told we'd act."

Jules looks to the group, he's speaking very softly, "I was told she doesn't like to worry about nothing, perhaps there's a way we can convince her this is something to worry about? Is there anything that could be perceived as a problem or we could make it look like there's a problem? He squints, "She also likes raspberries and peaches. They calm her." He nods firmly to this.

"She listed 'killing us' as one of the options." Alessia's expression seems to be drained of any empathy. "That's not the best way to get us to be more understanding of their plight."

Zoey rises and nods politely as Valesha departs before rejoining the conversation. "It will be difficult to convince them that what has worked so well for most of them for the last seven centuries is wrong, but convincing them to change is the only way this does not end in someone shedding blood," she says. "If the boy's true mother still lived we could go with an emotional appeal, but her pain is far enough removed now that I am not convinced we can change their minds. At least not in a day."

Jules looks to Mirk, holds open the flap of his backpack and whispers something to Mirk...

Lucita says, "It is my belief from what she said and what Lord Mirk has indicated that this is a place of Lagoma's dark reflection. So what are your recommendations? Even if my singing is effective, it may not be enough and I don't know how strong or how attentive the dark reflection may be here. One singer against one of them will not... be enough. But I will try if that seems the best route to take."

About the living-and-dying aspect, Nova quietly grunts. She does not argue, though, after finding out she was quite wrong about several aspects there. Whatever information she picked up during their hike to the shrine and here, Nova makes sure to share with those who know how to war. Just in case. Then, the Wolf Scout also mentions, "How much of the map is this one location, and should we keep travelling? Who knows, maybe we will 'get to the heart of it', beyond this place. Maybe there are more like these. Maybe we can convince the matron of the town to let us go, in a direction that is not 'back home'."

Domonico is silent as hs listens, tensing slightly as he waits for the group concensus to be made.

Ian gives the peach that exploded when he tried to bite into it a baleful look when Jules talks about the peaches and raspberries being calming. "I don't know why," he mutters. Then he looks to Lucita. "The point I was trying to make is that if we go that route, we're probably going to have to kill a lot of people, and capture the rest. Otherwise, they just go straight back to whoever helped them in the first place, with a new sacrifice." To Nova, he adds: "I don't think there is any other direction. The only way out that I could see, as we came into the valley, was the way we came."

"We can't stay here long enough to work on 'convincing' them." Alessia says with furrowed brows. "It appears our options are to flee without making any oaths, killing those who try to block our path. Or we go with Lucita's suggestion of quashing their... worship. In which case we'll also have to kill those who impede us."

"These are your lands," Mirk says to Lucita with a nod of his head. "I will defer to your judgement. Either one would suit; if we flee, we can always return later to...handle this."

Jules taps his chin, still looking for some idea around this problem, "Possibly one could manage to avoid the oath and be the one to inform someone else or ... suggest a trade depot at the edge of the rocks down there and the someone else might possibly see?" He squints still thinking, "Lord Domonico isn't half bad looking, he could try to bed her and change her opinion there?" How did this guy get here?

Zoey sighs and nods. "Convincing them is not a task we are up to, and swearing an oath is out of the question," she agrees. "But what of the frozen boy? Perhaps there is a way we could save him and break whatever power he is under."

Lucita says, "So if we try to leave them as they are, without swearing oaths, we may have to fight our way out, some lives lost there but likely fewer of them. If we escape, we can notify the templars. If we wait much longer here without signaling them, we left some troops at the lower stage of the mountain with the horses. I expect they will send for help or come to us. Lord Domonico knows what orders he left with them."

Ian nods to Zoey. "That's what we're considering." He looks to Lucita. "But I don't like how dangerous it is for you. We don't know what we're dealing with."

Nova grunts low. "I am leaning toward fleeing, aye. Maybe we can do so during the night time, and take the boy with us, unless he is extremely heavy."

"Fleeing under cover of darkness is likely too obvious," says Zoey. "If we sleep here, I have no doubt they will have guards on us."

Rowenova says, "Maybe Jules can get them all high."

Ian shakes his head. "The way he is now, he probably can't be moved." His expression darkens a little bit. "And I don't like what he's being used for. He can't have understood what he was agreeing to."

Domonico growls once in annoyance at Jules suggestion, "Start being serious at least once." His eyes flit to the others, "Trying to manage the pass into this place at night would be folky."

Lucita says, "remember the dangerous mountain path we would have to go down at dark, that is a danger in itself. I am leery trying that in dark." She nods to Ian. "I can ask to 'sing' to the boy and try to break the writ or what is holding him but am unsure of if it would succeed or not.""

"We can try to persuade them. Then, if it works, we can fight our way out in the confusion?" Mirk suggests, raising an eyebrow.

Lucita confirms Domonico's comment about leaving by night.

Ian looks to Mirk. "You said the spirits are pissed off. Any chance they can be convinced to throw in on our side?"

Rowenova says, "Be sure to let me know when we go to do whatever we do, I have some dosing vials on my weapon belt here. I can mix something if needed."

"I might be able to earn their favor," Mirk hedges, making a wavering gesture. "But it's difficult. I'm not going to promise their aid; consider it a way to smooth our path, if we are fortunate, rather than relying on it."

"He looked about ten." Alessia says with distaste. "So I'm thinking he didn't." She turns to Lucita. "I have no preference." Though from the look on her face, it's a questionable statement.

"My apologies my lord, I was in earnest." Jules says softly to Domonico, "I'm trying to just think of some way to avoid bloodshed." He lets out a slow breath then adds, "Perhaps I could dance while the Baroness sings and I keep their eyes on me instead of her or the boy? Or I could try to distract them while you all sneak away and then I make a dash?"

"I would suggest that whatever we do, we do it at daybreak," says Zoey. "Plenty of daylight for the trail back."

Ian sighs and pushes a hand through his hair. He begins to list options in a low, clipped voice. "Okay, look. If we go the singing route, we'll be clearing out the taint the spirits are so unhappy about. With their backing, it's probably doable, but I don't know how it plays out for the noncombatants. Alternately, I guess we can try to negotiate a better deal, but at the end of the day, I don't know that we can find common ground without trying to trick them. Alternately, we can send Nova's animal out with a message, stay the night, and see what happens. He might get out."

Lucita glances toward the militarily trianed people to see how they want to make sleeping and guard arrangements. "Well, in the unchanging temperatures and weather, we won't need our camping gear. I've trail rations we can split to hold till tomorrow.

Ian doesn't seem to object to staying the night, but probably he'll want to know specifically what the point of staying is.

Lucita says, "It is getting toward dark. We don't have time to reach a safe spot along the trail before it is full night."

"Rowenova? Do you think you can do this?" Mirk asks Rowenova, canting his head. "So we're staying the night and trying to free the child and fight our way free tomorrow?"

"We need to decide how to play it when she returns. What are we going to do? Feign that we decided to take our oaths? Say that we still hadn't decided yet?" Alessia asks them with raised brows. "Especially given we're planning not to act until daybreak."

Domonico looks to who is available and draws up a simple watch rota for the night, notably not giving Jules any responsibility.

Both Nova and Sir Flop look to Ian with a raise of brow after 'Nova's animal', but then the scout seems to agree with the overall plan, a nod there, but then Sir Floppington gives her a 'look' much like the one that he gave her after being told to leave her side during the vines ordeal. "We need you, Boy. Ok?" Ultimately, he will agree, but not without some disapproval about it all!

Lucita is willing to yield deciding to the military people for their safety but clearly is not willing to stay or to give her word. She passes out drinks and rations from her pack, not that it is filling meals but it staves off hunger.

Lucita gets Lagoma of Light Flammas Lantern from a subtly textured sturdy yet lightweight trail pack.

Lucita gets Lagoma's sigil, a carnelian flame encased by saik glass from a subtly textured sturdy yet lightweight trail pack.

Almost as if summoned by Alessia's words, Valesha arrives, though she gives a loud clear of her throat to serve as a warning that she's returning. "Given the position of the sun, I am thinking you will be staying with us for the night at the very least. I will show you to the accomidations you will be staying in. It is not much..." 'Not much' turns out to be a gorgeously appointed villa with a fully stocked kitchen a pair of bedchambers and plenty of cushions, blankets and furniture to ensure everyone will pass a comfortable night's sleep.

Lucita puts Lagoma of Light Flammas Lantern in a subtly textured sturdy yet lightweight trail pack.

Lucita puts Lagoma's sigil, a carnelian flame encased by saik glass in a subtly textured sturdy yet lightweight trail pack.