Gehenna
Gehenna did her best to stay in the front of the small group. There were several reasons for this, but the foremost one was Konra's backside, and the not wanting to be caught staring at it.
It had been a lonely few years since she'd been driven from her home. She'd never exactly been popular there, but the community had turned on her shockingly fast once that new head cleric began his campaign against the 'devil in their midst'. She'd barely escaped with her life, and since had been wary at best of people in general. Konra though, had been civil, spoken to her as if she was a person, not a creature. Gehenna was not a fool, and realized that perhaps she was just a tool being used to get out of a bad situation, but the company was not unpleasant. Nor was the backside.
That was not to say she wanted to engage in conversation. The half-elf was... a little much for Gehenna's taste, and the halfling was almost too polite. She was a healer, but Gehenna did not need her head shrunk. Did she? Would she even know? She shook her head and refocused on the final reason she was out in front. She'd spent most of her recent history living rough And was getting quite proficient at spotting signs of sentient life in wild places. Boot prints and old campfires were obvious. Hidden trails and inconspicuous blazes were what she was looking for.
She wasn't sure if it was fortunate or not that the river they were following seemed deserted. Lyrae had been right about their companions. As they were, they would find it difficult out here. They would need to be freed. And Gehenna herself would have to completely restart her spellbook (the thought made her a little nauseous), which meant civilization. But those men had to come from somewhere, and she certainly did not want to blunder back into captivity. And slave camp or not, her track record with new places was less than stellar. At least she didn't have Konra's problems.
As she moved as quietly as she could along the riverbank, it occurred to her that it was because of Konra's problems that she was as at ease as she was. She was sure the people she was with would not attack her at the moment, even with her back turned. They were all unarm, and two had their hands bound. Her lips twitched with amusement, thinking she could get used to that kind of company. Perhaps all the rabid, foaming at the mouth people who tried to capture her regularly, just wanted safe friends.
She froze mid-step, one cloven hoof hovering several inches from the ground. There were several broken reeds ahead. Not necessarily a sign of civilization, but something fairly large had come this way. "Be on guard." she warned quietly. ""Something has come through here."
"Hm. What makes you sat that." Tirni said, with a somewhat sarcastic tone.
Gehenna started to turn to look at the half elf, to see what she meant but stopped. "Oh." She been so focused on the foliage, she'd failed to notice the small dock at the edge of the river. Finishing her step and taking another, she walked on to a narrow but well trod trail leading into the trees.
"Look like civilization to me." put in Tirni, nervously twisting her bound arms. "So, uh, what do we want to do about it?"
"We don't know who it is, and don't know about you guys, but I'd be shit if it came to a fight." said Konra.
The four semi-involuntary companions shared an uneasy look.
Konra
Konra felt vulnerable. Her nudity didn't bother her. Much. She'd lived in enough camps and barracks were privacy was at a premium. She wasn't shy. And her witch friends hadn't let her wear clothes the whole time they had her. But being naked with her hands tied behind her back, that bothered her. Of lesser concern, but still one more thing; unless she was careful, her unrestrained breasts jiggled with every step. If the old squad could see her now. It was just as well. Most of those guys were assholes, women included.
Still, she had insisted on leading the way down the trail. Bound or not, she was probably best equipped to handle trouble, though she suspected all her companions were more capable than the average first impression would tell. Capable or not, however, their offensive options were limited. Tirni might be quick, but didn't have the mass to be a problem without weapons. The cleric might have something magical in her pocket, but she hadn't offered it. And Gehenna was ready to bolt at a second's notice.
Being in front, Konra saw the cottage first. It was not a simple shack in the woods. It seemed well put together with a stone foundation, a fair amount of space inside and a few out buildings. She stopped short, inadvertently causing Lyrae's face to collide with he butt. "Sorry. But there it is. How do we want to handle this?"
"Two options, really." said Tirni. "Scamper back into the woods or knock on the door. I'd normally be all for sneaking around looking for loose change, but I'd rather not piss anyone off in my current position."
"I wouldn't have guessed." put in Konra. "All right, I'll head up and knock. My 'jewelry' probably makes me look non-threatening."
"I'll go with you." added Lyrae.
"You should stay back." countered Konra. "If the occupants are hostile, you three can make for the trees."
"And leave you behind?" replied Lyrae. "I appreciate your chivalry. But how are you going to knock?"
"Uh... with my forehead... I guess." sighed Konra. "Okay, you have a point. We'll go up together. You two," she glanced to Tirni and Gehenna, "Stay back, but don't hide. We don't want to look like an ambush. Just be ready to run."
"Yes, Ma'am!" Tirni saluted at her chin. It was the best she could do.
"It feels like we're being watched." Gehenna added ominously.
It turned out potentially true, for as soon as Konra reached the second step leading up to the porch, the top half of the main door swung slowly inward to reveal a man aiming a crossbow at her.
"That's far enough." he said in a calm voice. "Well, this is a new one. Very bold, Miss."
Konra would have like to confer with the others, but she wanted to keep the crossbow pointed at her, so she responded immediately. "Good morning, sir. Sorry to bother you, but my companions and I ran into some trouble last night, and could really use some help." She slowly turned and waved a shackled hand, at the same time, she realized showing her behind to him. Well, he might as well get the 'whole package' as Tirni might say.
"Hm. Props and all. You really went all out." The man behind the crossbow sounded more than calm. He was resigned. Almost bored.
And that, more than anything, made Konra nervous. She couldn't see him well with the shaded interior of the cabin. And the crossbow blocked most of his face. But she could make out the one eye quite well. It stayed mostly focused on her, flicking briefly to watch the other. He was no amateur. This guy might be a problem if she were free and fully clothed. "I'm sorry, sir. We didn't mean to bother you. Maybe you could direct--"
"Halfling." He interrupted suddenly. "What's that pinned to your clothes? Are you injured?"
Konra didn't move and neither did the crossbow.
"No, sir." Lyrae replied. "I worship My Lady, Sulundra and her token was taken from me. I had to improvise, I'm afraid."
The man in the cottage stood still for a moment, before he let out a long slow breath. Konra watched the tension drain from his shoulders. He swung the crossbow up and away from Konra before setting it aside entirely. "Even so, I recognized The Lady's mark. My apologies, Sister, but as you seem to have discovered, these are dangerous times."
Lyrae
