The party noticed that their wounds were healing very quicly once they left the cave. After some discussion, they determined that it must have been because of the rings they were wearing, which they had taken from a supply room back at the Academy. After they were all in decent shape, the party took their rings off and placed them on four of the students they had rescued; but not before their reset their bones and whatever other normal medical treatment they could give them.
The party then set up a watch and rest rotation to get them through the night. During Shanris’ watch, he saw some flickering lights off in the distance. He carefully snuck towards them, trying to discern what they were without giving away his position. He was eventually able to get close enough to determine that this was a party of Orcs and Goblins, along with a single troll. They all walked and spoke together as if they were friends, which Shanris thought was highly unusual based off of his knowledge of Orc society. They were talking about slave trade, and how they needed to find more slaves before going back. Shanris was appauled at this, but obviously in no condition to act. Also, this group did not seem to pose a threat as they were now headed away from where the party was camped. He returned to camp and resumed his watch.
Shortly after he returned, he noticed that several of the students they had rescued were starting to stir; specifically, the ones who had rings on. Shanris went to talk to one, who he would soon learn was named Torvald Kerrigan. Torvald’s first reaction was to reach for a weapon on his back, which he quickly realized wasn’t there. Realizing that, he continued to lay there as Shanris approached. Shanris introduced himself, and Torvald gave him his name as well. Shanris explained the situation and asked him what he learned while he was captured. Torvald didn’t seem like he entirely trusted Shanris, but due to a lack of better options, explained what little he knew. He said he was able to gather that it was two female witches that were holding them hostage, members of some Coven of the Black Rose. He also recalled that one of their names was Lorelei.
How they got captured was an interesting tale as well. They had been attempting to reach the school for several weeks. They said it seemed as if they were never getting closer to it. The whole story reminded the party of the dreams they all had during one night they spent at the school. The party concluded that there must be some sort of magical effect preventing people from reaching the school, not unlike the effect that was on the house of Triana.
Shortly after this, Tybald awoke. At this, Shanris went and woke up Percival because he was certain that he would want to know. Percival was thrilled and rushed over to his older brother. The two of them hugged and began discussing what had happened. He told a tale similar to that of Torvald’s, only with much less detail. He still seemed to be in a bit of a mental fog.
Leaning over and seeing that Allana was next to him and badly injurded, Tybald focused for a moment, touched her, and she was instantly healed and awakened. He quickly regretted that decision though. While everyone was glad to have Allana awake, Tybald said he should have healed Isobel first, as she was apparently a healer as well, but not limited to one healing per day as Tybald was.
Eventually all of the rescuees were awaked by putting the healing rings on them. The notable exception to this was Dastyll, whose wounds seem to heal themselves with no external assistance. Not all of them were fine though. Ellon seemed to not be all there mentally, and Allana was unable to walk (though she looked ok medically).
After everyone was up, there was a discussion about what to do next. Torvald wanted to head straight to Astrakhan to get some military assistance from the capitol and then head back to the school in force. He yielded to Tybalt though, who wanted to go straight back to the school and get Denise out (as well as procure some equipment). At one point during this discussion, Torvald cocked his head to the side and ordered everyone to be quiet. He seemed to hear something off in the distance. The party quickly gathered their weapons, and gave the extras they carried to the other students. Torvald, Shanris, and Clarence snuck off in the direction Torvald heard the noise.
It did not take long for the party to realize that Orcs were sneaking up on them in preparation to attack. However, the party’s scouting group got the jump on them and, along with the rest of the group, made short work of them. After taking some time to gather up what useable equipment the Orcs carried, the party decided that it was no longer safe there and that they should head to the school immediately.
After they started off, they realized that they would most likely not be able to find the school because of the presumed spell in place on it or the area. As such they decided to head back into the woods they came from and seek out Triana.
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