Evelyn closed her eyes, not wishing to see the in-between of teleporting. It was the rush of wind and that slow, drawing-momentum drop that caused her eyes to flash open, and she beheld a land splayed out with tiny trees, glistening river, a town in the distance and a shroud of mist.

[i]We're high up...[/i] Raced through Evelyn's mind. [i]Really high. I have no magic for heights. No magic...[/i]

Her mind calculated, but adrenaline and panic began to set in despite her inner self trying to stay calm enough for a solution to hit her.

Nothing.

They were really starting to fall at this point. The wind whipped past them as she saw the team in her peripherals, all with anxious looks. Well, except for Mattien. His bewitchment still held. 

So much for staying calculative. Adrenaline and panic set her heart racing. Her body took over and a shrill cry escaped her lips. She wouldn't survive this fall, not like this. Shit.

A hand wrapped around her waist and their momentum slowed as Wrensthav waved his other hand about. The wind rushed below them. The ground was coming in a bit quick; Evelyn stumbled as they landed.

She was breathless, silver hair rustled and pointed ears exposed. "...Wow... I didn't quite expect that." Her gaze focused on Wrensthav with narrowed eyes. "That was some quick thinking. I guess... I should thank you."

She walked to Mattien, touching him. He snapped to, shaking his head.

"What the, where's the river? What happened?" Mattien grunted.

"You don't remember? We walked for four hours to the other bridge. Polaris was kind enough to carry you when that blond head of yours caught too much sun." Evelyn said straight-faced, winking to Wrensthav and Polaris.

"...What?" Mattien squinted. "Polaris is too tiny to carry me. "

"It seems his vision has yet to fully return to him."  Polaris held the back of her hand to Mattien's forehead.  A concerned look was followed by her shaking her head, her shoulders up and her arms forming a 'w' shape.  "Yep, he still has a bit of heat fever it seems.  What do you think, Pretty-elf?  Should I shoulder him till the town's gate when we can find a respectable apothecary?"

She loved seeing the various expressions of the strongman's face as her conversation continued.

"Either way, we are in dire need of supplies if our host is in the same category of healing practices as we are,"  Wrensthav interjected shuffling his load.

"A sleeping rag, lavender incense, and laughing phials are not cure-alls, Wrens."

"I always found that death was the final answer to all ailments.  It's not my fault that people are opposed to that option."

"The entire point is to keep them alive."

"Bahh, minor complication."

Mattien grumbled, batting Polaris' hand away. "I'm fine, I'm fine. Just a little..." His brows furrowed. "We've reached the next town?"

Evelyn nodded. As Wrenthav and Polaris spoke of supplies, she shouldered her travel bag. "Well, I'm not even going to as what a 'sleeping rag' is. I'm well-versed in the arts of arcane healing, but just one look at Mattien tells me he'll clear up real soon."

Mattien snorted, turning a bit to hide himself checking his forehead. His face betrayed confusion.

"... Shall we head to town, then?" Evelyn said eventually, blowing a gust of air through her lips. Flipping her hood up over her head, she Conjured a translucent walking stick and began the final trek of the day. Town was only ten minutes away.

And it was a fine town. Old and homey with homes and businesses made of wood and stone. By their time of arrival, it was nearing evening. The sun was setting, colouring the sky and underbelly of clouds. Lanterns were lit in buildings and along the heavy-trodden dirt streets. 

Evelyn made way for an Inn, pushing aside a heavy door.

The Inn was a decent sized establishment boasting of a dozen small rooms and a long dining table big enough to seat about 20 people.  There were a few patrons there; starting their evening meals. The majority of the staff bustling about with wooden dishes and mugs of ale, beer, and local wine.  The hostess nodded to Evelyn as she entered and started walking their way.  Her smile brightened when she heard the jangle that followed Wrensthav's every step.

"Is that the wandering armoury, Wrensthav I hear?  Good evening, good evening,  my you all smell of pine!  Did he trick you all into believing he knew where he was going?"

She gasped excitedly as Polaris walked in behind Mattien. "Lady Polaris!  I wouldn't have guessed that you were an acquaintance of the bumbling storm cloud."

Polaris returned the innkeeper hostess enthusiasm and gave her a quick embrace.

"Someone had to make sure we got here before the darkest hour, Roselyn.  What is for supper tonight?"

"Fish stew, and sourdough rolls.  So, party of four and how many rooms?"

"Wandering armoury, eh?" Evelyn said, giving Wrensthav a sideways look. "Seems it's a small world after all." 

At the mention of stew Mattien's stomach growled audibly. He put a hand on his leather chest armour, looking around. "Uhm. I think my stomach would like fish stew." On cue, it gurgled again.

Evelyn cracked a smile, elbowing Polaris playfully. "Heh, must be all that sun Mattien got, right?"

At the mention of rooms, Evelyn stopped, taking in their group. Her brows furrowed a moment before she spoke. "Three rooms,  I believe. That and the bill is on me, seeing as it's my expedition." She rolled her eyes, pulling out a small pouch.

Idly picking at a few coins, Evelyn lowered her voice a tone to the hostess. "So, I'm curious... How do you know Wrensthav?"

Polaris giggled a bit and led the men to the tables.  The other staff greeted Polaris with great enthusiasm and were noticeably weary of Wrensthav more than Mattien.  Roselyn sighed a bit at the cowish side her staff was still showing to Wrensthav.

"He visited our town a moon or so back and subjugated a band of highway bandits that have been raiding our eastern route for years.  He said they attacked him and he dealt with them appropriately."  She laughed audibly.  "Apparently his idea of appropriate was breaking their gear and armour and marching all fifty them into the lords front yard.  Nothing but a large stone-sheathed blade across his shoulders as he walked behind them and made them issue an apology as well as offer their services to compensate for the trouble they gave the people."

Roselyn gave a sympathetic glance towards the rest of Evelyn's party before continuing. "It seems like the bandit leader had a powerful item that helped him evade our searches for them.  When the lord of our town asked for it in return Wrensthav said that it was the reason he was here to begin with, and that he would be taking it as his payment.  Sadly it was an heirloom of the lord; he didn't take too kindly to that.  So, with the townsfolk afraid of him and the inns pressured by the lord we were the only place that would let him in."

Evelyn listened quietly, picturing the story in her head. From what she imagined, Wrensthav was more of an enigma with a strong sense of justice. Very powerful persuasion tactics as well. Most bandits wouldn't have the capacity for such generosity. They must have been scared for their lives. 

Her curiosity piqued at the heirloom. "Wrensthav took only a magical trinket? Nothing else, like gold or a title? I know he doesn't have that on him now. I wonder what he did with it..."

She gave Roselyn payment for the night, plus a few extra coins. "Keep this conversation between you and me, mm?"

The group sat together at a table close to the stage. Musicians played on their wood and string instruments, creating a peaceful ambience to the evening. Mattien eyed his meal, tossing aside the spoon. He picked up his bowl of fish stew and tipped it down his throat, downing the entire thing in 20 seconds. 

"Another bowl, *burp*, please." He said, waving one of the staff over.

Evelyn wrinkled her nose at the Breton. "Were you never taught table manners?"

"What can I say, I'm hungry. I could eat at least two more of these." Mattien said casually, picking his teeth.

The elf made a noise of disgust, looking away from Mattien to inspect her own bowl. She meticulously began removing chunks of fish meat out of her stew, placing them in Mattien's empty bowl. When the staff member brought more fish stew, she asked if they had any salad in house. The answer was no.

Evelyn sipped her mug of ale, displeasure evident on her face.

As the musicians finished their last song and walked off the stage, Roselyn got onto the elevated platform. "I want to thank the travellers' band for their music this evening. We're going to give them a break and open the stage to the audience.

"We love karaoke at Stone Hedge Inn, so for the next hour, if you come play or sing, you'll receive a whole pitcher of ale for free!"

[i][sub]Written in collaboration with [@WrensthavAviovus][/sub][/i]