Session #17: Pastry Witch

[istainion]

01 February, 2021  [8:00 PM - 12:00 PM+ (GMT+1)]

 

That early morning, there was a knock on the door and it gradually grew louder and louder to wake me up from a deep sleep. I gazed at the door and followed the weak motion from the bouncing onto the door. With a groan I recall telling Tibirin to answer it, whatever would await us can only be dangerous but he wasn't up for it either. The young vistani child jumped from the bed and went over to the door with a promise to answer it for us and that she did. She opened up the door and I could already see from my angle that the one standing in the door frame is no one, but Naedithas. I could notice the cold sweat on his forehead from the distance, his messy hair and his half dressed look. It's truly happening, is it not? It's truly an addiction?

 

Arabelle, the small girl knew better than to simply let him in and tried to order him around to obtain water and breakfast but Naedithas, as funny as it looked, just pushed her to the side and nearly ran over to me to nag me for more pies. I could feel the corners of my mouth stretch when I saw that helpless look in his eyes and the commanding tone in his voice. "Remember what you did to me the other day?", I said to him with hesitation to reach for his quick fix. "I'll only give it to you if you kiss me." There was disgust or maybe even hesitation in his eyes and posture while the other two in the room left upon that signal but when they left us, he reached out to me for a kiss. He did exactly as I told him and it came as a surprise. "Can I have it now?", his rough voice sounded again. His body was shaking, I could see how he was craving for more and I truly was a little worried about how this would go on if he were to show up every single morning. With only two of the pastries left after handing him the third, I knew I would have to get more eventually. Would that lady still be out there?

 

When he devoured it in a few bites, I was on my own again in the room and I made myself ready for breakfast downstairs. I gazed down the earring that dropped from my bag and there was this cold sensation washing over me. If I don't report back soon, she might come back to threaten me. I'll have to find a good opportunity to do this ... It probably doesn't work anyway.

 

I went down the stairs, followed by the remaining members of our little group and we were all presented with a warm breakfast. Freshly baked bread, some pastries and other goods. Everything was going just fine, even with Naedithas' absence. He decided to stay outside and he was lucky to have made such a choice when I suddenly heard Shevat's voice near me, speaking of food poisoning and Yshvara was doing terribly. Her face was pale and there was some ruckus in the back of the inn, complaining about the feedback of her food. The food was delicious but the good taste disappeared with an unpleasant sight when it was too late. I immediately took my distance and hid behind something to avoid myself from being exposed to the disgust. I listened to Shevat's conversation with Yshvara, he said something about withdrawal symptoms. I recalled her eating those pastries as well, even by accident. She also bought some from the old lady but I didn't think that she was suffering from something similar to Naedithas. When I spoke of it and referred to the pies, I had Shevat's glare locked on me. He forced me to hand over one of my pies. I didn't want to be near here and escape as soon as I could, so I simply handed him what he needed and escaped through the entrance of the Inn to cling onto Naedithas.

 

That sight was terrifying ... Will ... Will Naedithas be suffering from the same if I don't hand him enough? Will he get sick, too? I looked at him but he seemed to be doing just fine, aside from the glare he, too, shot at me for hanging onto his arm for comfort. He asked me what is wrong but I couldn't give him an exact answer. Shevat was quick to come out and immediately he turned to me and asked who else ate those pies, he also mentioned exactly the keywords that made Naedithas press me against the surface of the building again. They accused me of being the bad guy for giving them the pies. Yshvara situation wasn't my doing! How should I know that these pies are so addictive?! I told them the truth, all of it and my true intentions for giving them to Naedithas. He was so happy when I first gave him that pie! He hugged me so gently and now I'm pressed against the wall, like a villain. Shevat told me to lead him to the lady immediately, about as forceful as he was about the Elemental Ritual Book in the stables.

 

I led everyone to the spot where I last recalled her position, it was at the marketplace of Vallaki but there was nothing but an empty space of where she once was. With only a single pie on me, I felt the fear get to me. There stood a man and a woman, Yshvara seemed to recognize them from passing by the other day. The man was in a similar condition as Naedithas was in the early morning, he was a poor man, anxiously arguing with the woman about his addiction. He kept saying how badly he needed those pies and the woman yelled something at him about a child he handed her in return for the pies. I looked over to Naedithas, who now seemed fully aware of the situation he is in. I could just see it in his gaze how much he was panicking inside even with a controlled seeming exterior. All I've felt at that point was guilt and especially with only a single morning of supplies for the upcoming days and nothing else to give, it was even worse. Do we have to restrain him when the time comes? Who knows what this spirit will do to him? He'll probably tell him some crazy stuff, at least, according to how it sounded like.

 

With an attempt to score information, Yshvara tried to talk to them. The woman wasn't amused, she was pretty upset that we were watching when she kept yelling the name of the man. Harold ... When the situation calmed down just a little bit, she asked him if he knew where she went to or where she came from. Nothing useful, she told me that she is from Barovia but when I mentioned that, Ireena said to me that she doesn't know the woman. So she isn't from the place Barovia, she lied to me. She's ... Why does she accept a child as payment? Who would do such a thing? Somehow it felt odd, knowing that this Ritual Book I carry with me, also specifically asked for a child to use for sacrifice ... Would it be the same thing? Is this woman some sort of witch that tries to control people ... I can't believe that I caused all of this. I've tried not to show it to the others but I've never felt the desperate yearnings to disappear. If I could only vanish ... I felt like everything was ending for me and it was confirmed when I saw the looks on everyone's faces. I'm done for ...

 

We pulled back in an attempt to find the woman. Shevat brought forth some spirit birds, eight in total in a lonely alleyway of Vallaki. He gave them his command and off they went. Curiously, I looked over to Naedithas who stood near me. His fears seemed to shine past his stoic face more and more, so I took the opportunity to see if it was related to what he told me last night and mentioned the spirit. He took the bait and took a hold of me again in an aggressive manner. He needed to know what I know, where I heard it from and down the same lines, he refused that it was real. I didn't give him any details of what he said to me, knowing that it would cause more of a situation than it already is. I felt the impact of the push when he let go of me and distanced himself from me like I had something infectious on me. I only sighed. I got what I wanted, this spirit is a part of the secret he keeps from us, along with the situation of 75 years ago. I wonder if the spirit is connected to that same situation. How long has it been guiding him? Hopefully, I'll never see him but I would like to know what he has to say. Would you be willing to answer my questions? No, this isn't the time ...

 

Shevat would need to hold his position for the spirits to find their way back. Naedithas would stay by his side, Ireena, Tibirin and the child also stayed by his side. Yshvara and I have decided to check on Bluto, to see if he has sobered up for a little interrogation with us. The two of us left in the direction of whatever he calls a home. When we were far from civilization from the looks of it we knocked on the door. Yshvara noticed some guards far to the side from us, they were questioning people. With the large distance, I saw no threat in our attempt, so we waited for the door to open up. There he stood, a solid 2 meters of a wall in the door opening. This same, silly voice came from his lips and he hasn't changed a bit from when I last sat on his back. He yelled at us to bring the child back, his bait for fishing. It was difficult to communicate with him, even now. From the nearly 30 cm difference in our height I couldn't tell whether or not he has been drinking or not but neither did we get the chance.

 

Yshvara, who is significantly taller than me, tried to shut him up, but he was too fast and grabbed her wrist. I suppose from the sight of that speed, he's not drunk yet but still pretty stupid. "Give it back!", sounded again. Yshvara managed to break free from his grasp and we quickly took our distance. This man is WILD. He even came running after us! Is he out of his mind?! Wait, yes, yes he is ... Why did I ever wonder?

 

We heard the voices of the guards that charged in our direction commanding us to stop running. With our features, there is no way that we could make it out safely. When they caught up with us and put themselves between us and Bluto they quickly asked us what was going on. I made up an excuse that Bluto randomly accused us from taking away some child from him for bait, while pretending not to know him. The guards gave me this look, I could see how he was checking me whether or not it was convincing enough, as I expected more questions for me, I was surprised to see how quickly the guard swallowed what I said and turned their offense in the direction of the fisherman. They commanded him to get back inside the house but Bluto hesitated, again, speaking of this bait and the lake and that we are the ones who took it from him. The guard threatened him that if he doesn't obey, he will be sent to jail again. I saw the shocked expression on his face when he nearly begged for forgiveness. Bluto was quick to back down and step inside the house with the door shut in front of him.

 

We learned from the guards that the Fisherman has been like this for a long while. He's not the only fisherman in Vallaki but he is the only one that is stupid enough to exist Vallaki in an attempt to go fishing. He has been like that ever since he is young and he used to live with his mother who passed away. In an attempt to get her child back who stayed out fishing too late, she left Vallaki, never to return again. Only Bluto returned, they said. He always comes and goes while others tend to die when they leave. There are rumors of large bears around Vallaki, even with the many bear traps outside, the threat hasn't ceased. It's been like that for years. Even with the wolves we've already encountered, they are everywhere. The guard admitted that he hoped for the fisherman to never return when he were to leave again but the disappointment shows in each of his safe returns. When all was said and done, the guards told us to attend the festival and we are to pass it on to the others. Afterwards, they left us alone again. Both Yshvara and I shared our suspicions about Bluto who already left past us again, to go fishing near the lake.

 

We made our way back to the rest, exactly at the time where we saw Shevat come out of the alleyway to follow one of his spirit birds. We regrouped with them to follow the bird all the way to the east gate of Vallaki, the place where we entered. The bird on top of the gate hinted at us that the woman was past there and there wouldn't be enough time to find her but we'd see how far we'd get. I was hesitant about it all, worried that something would happen if we were to leave. We stood close to a guard post, too close, for him to have his eyes on us. Yshvara and Shevat needed to prepare themselves with a spell, so I took the opportunity to talk to the guard and asked about the old lady who passed. The man was behaving strangely, he wasn't entirely himself and even admitted that halfway. He couldn't say anything about the lady, not what she carried with her or anything odd about her. She left yesterday night, probably around the time where Naedithas and I came from the toymaker. I knew that I should have gone to her for more pies but I hadn't realized how late it got.

 

Even the guard said that it was strange not to know anything about her. Nothing at all. He was under a charm spell. She caught him in his grip. I can't believe this nasty woman flirted with me, I feel so dirty, you know?! She's likely to be some sort of witch! And ... I am to blame. She caught me in her spell as well, I thought that she was just a lovely old lady, following her passion but I was fooled. She uses people for whatever personal gain, nobody would accept a child as payment, only the wicked.

 

Annoyed with the truth, I went to Shevat and Yshvara to inform them about the situation. Our next attempt was to have Yshvara disguise herself as the woman, with us as her servants until I realized that it would fail. I forgot that piece about the charm spell, it only applies to the original, not some fake. It isn't their eyes that are affected, nothing physically. Even with her attempt and the successful result, this wouldn't work out. Ireena who grew impatient insisted that we use rough violence, a plan that Naedithas supported and put in progress. With both their work, our attempt to break through the gate to which the guard wouldn't let us pass, even with the child as an excuse, was successful. Naedithas knocked him out with a single hit and Ireena's art of putting him on a chair, close to a bottle was also convincing enough. Tibirin brought the girl to the Inn and came back when we all made it past the gate to find the old lady.

 

Naedithas was the one who opened the gate for us and he stayed behind as the gate shut, he simply jumped up the gate to climb over it with little effort. Both me and Shevat were impressed with the sight. How is it possible for him to do this with so much ease?! Such elegance, too, if you ask me ... Very impressive ...

 

With the spirit bird gone, Shevat tried it again to find the lady and send out the birds. Naedithas found some tracks in the distance and we quickly came in his direction to keep an eye on them. On one side, there were footsteps, on the other side there was a trail of something seemingly heavy that was dragged over the ground. I pointed it out and wondered out loud what it could have been. Naedithas smirked at me and said it was my lost talent. He's saying I have none and I couldn't hold back a sarcastic laugh. That bastard. Those trails could be from a suitcase or bag in which the child was held. Would a child really cooperate though? I guess the charmed guard, late at night, wouldn't have noticed a bit of that. Within a night, an old lady, like her, couldn't have gone far but the distance between her and us, would be too far for us to reach with a festival to attend, burning in the back of our minds. I fear for when we come back, that we'll be executed for missing out on it and we even left the Vistana back in the inn. Will she be alright? Not that it's a major concern of mine but I saw Tibirin going through multiple phases and it wasn't any differently for Yshvara.

 

Shevat, however, had his mind set on saving that child. Naedithas also felt concerned for his situation, without that lady, it might get worse. I shared that same concern, after all, I am the one who is responsible for it all, I did that to him and I wouldn't forgive myself to leave him alone in the matter. Besides, those pies are safer in my hands than they are in any of the others. They are too reckless ... Even now. All of us have decided to look for the old lady. We're going to get executed ... I better change my looks when I enter Vallaki again.

 

Things weren't looking pretty at this point, we needed to find a quick way to get to this lady. When everything was a little out of our control, I noticed Muriël on one of the branches of a tree. I couldn't just point out her direction but I needed to get close  to her. After all, if we are in need ... We should ask for help. This was a perfect moment. I tried my best to make up an excuse to get just in range and pointed in a direction near her, just not enough for them to recognize her position. Everyone thought that I was acting suspiciously and needed me to spill the truth. I cannot speak the truth! I promised her not to! I promised her to keep my mouth shut about everything! Why am I always dragged into lying?! Even Naedithas came to me, giving me this look ... He leaned onto me and looked ... Really charming. He needed me to speak the truth and tried to lure me into that by ... Acting like he did. IT WAS SUCCESSFUL, ALRIGHT but I ... I couldn't do it. I cannot break a promise even to a woman that's beyond suspicious as hell. Why do I always have to mess up my opportunities with him?

 

When I gave Tibirin a specific look and mentioned the color of what could remind him of her appearance, he was quick to understand what I was getting at and suggested that he would come with me. And I also did try to make it sound as naturally as I could but the raven was faster. She landed on top of Shevat's shoulder before she flew in my direction to peck my head and land only a little farther way. I said to her that I did my best! But she still called me an idiot. It's not EASY to come up with excuses all the time, do you know?! It's not my SPECIALTY. Let someone else do the talking and lying for me!

 

She revealed herself to the rest of us. She gave them the same information as Tibirin and me and offered her help with our troubles. She told us about the old lady, who disappeared into the windmill near the encampment. The one, of which we are warned, not to enter. I knew that ... Sooner or later, we would have to go there. No matter what, I knew it would. Wasn't it named something like the "old Bonegrinder''? Oh yes, that's going to be a fun place. Whoever visits is bound to disappear, never to return again. We're going to need some God on our side to let us enter that place ... UNLESS! We manage to lure her outside! Muriël will send the message about the woman to both the encampment and Urwin will be informed about our situation, to keep the young child safe during the festival. She couldn't offer us a faster traveling plan, neither as a form she could take. She revealed us a different form, like a raven on two legs ... It was a scary sight, I have never seen something like that in my entire life. She admitted that she wasn't fond of it. I got near her to find if I could detect her presence through magic but it was nothing like that. Can I really detect people at all? I should probably focus on different things.

 

Tibirin called forth a ... Strange creature I have never seen before in my entire life. There was some light surrounding him when he made contact but ... It was HUGE. I've never seen an animal THAT muscular and big! Is this an animal in Barovia?! Shevat turned into his elegant horse form and with the two, most of us were carried. Naedithas? He was moving in TOP SPEED, he easily kept up with us all and I was just staring at him. Where does he get all this energy from? All this strength? It's incredible ...!

 

When Shevat was barely holding on after a long time of traveling and so we continued to move by foot until we were dragged into battle again. To each of our sides, a dark shadow made its appearance until it took the form of a wolf. Just like that night! They are back! Still terrified from my up-close-situation while I was sleeping ... I moved to the back and found myself a safe location. I don't want any more scars on my chest, thank you! ... Shevat stayed close to me while the others spread, even that elk fought with us! It was amazing! Unlike last time, my focus was much better to land a perfect hit on them and when everything seemed to be in control, I felt this warm breath in my neck and the cold shivers running down my spine. I looked behind me and stood eye in eye with another, big wolf, much like that ... One experience. My instincts told me to run and quick but the others were already on their way to support me when the wolf suddenly disappeared. We looked around until we noticed Yshvara look behind her in the distance. Behind her, the wolf appeared, to hold his position, I fired an arcane shot in its direction. Luckily, Yshvara didn't take any severe damage before we could take it down, Shevat ensured that she was fine again by healing her and we all made it out safely.

 

I have noticed that during this fight, besides the major damage that Tibirin, Naedithas and Ireena made, that Shevat was always really close to me. Does he trust me to keep him safe? Yshvara also complimented me for the shot I fired when the wolf was behind her and even Ireena admitted that I did well, besides that ... Unexpected attack I needed to make. They encourage me a little to push on even with this much guilt on me. I can at least make myself useful, I guess, before we all get executed ... Though, I at least managed to experience Tibirin with black paint on his face. Arabelle is really skilled with applying some sort of clown's look. Too bad it's not enough to pass this stupid title, not with Ireena around to burn my hopes down to the ground. It's too bad, that even I couldn't convince Naedithas to carry me, even to like me wasn't enough but he did want to see me try convincing him. Quit making me talk for it! For everything! As if I could ever convince you to do anything without the use of some cursed PIES!