[hr][center][h2]Words of Ill Omen[/h2][sub]Collaboration with [@Mag Lev] and [@BurningDaisies][/sub][/center]
[@Rune_Alchemist][@Mag Lev][@Shiyonichi]
[hr]
Kessig remained silent for a long moment as he seemed to mull over Nara's words. His face was a stony mask, but his one eye was lit with a calm, calculating gleam. Time seemed to stretch on as the silence between them slowly thickened with tension. The thin man was on edge, but did a fair job keeping his expression neutral.
[color=gray][b]"I don't know what foul spirit has you vexed, but I'll be frank with you, missy. Both of you should leave immediately."[/b][/color] He was firm in his declaration, and his tone made it clear he didn't trust either of them. After sparing a sharp glance at the mountains, he breathed out a long, tired sigh. He awkwardly shifted his weight, favoring his right leg, and stifled a wince. 

[color=gray][b]"Only devils come down from the mountains. It's not called the Devil's Spine for show. So you're either daft in the head, or trying to trick me into some dark bargain."[/b][/color] He eyed Nara skeptically. [color=gray][b]"Seeing as you have an honest face, it's probably the first one, so let me give you some friendly advice: Forget. This. Village."[/b][/color] He leaned forward and squinted meaningfully, sinking emphasis into every word. 
[color=gray][b]"Leave and forget you ever met us. It's better that way."[/b][/color] 

[color=#2eb82e][b]"We will do as you wish, though I must say that any dark bargain might benefit all here,"[/b][/color] Nara said as she looked over the mostly barren fields, [color=#2eb82e][b]"However, if you truly wish us to leave then I at least ask you give us some form of guidance to the next village. We haven't traveled these parts often and I'd rather not be wandering around the area for long."[/b][/color] Though Nara's face hadn't changed at all, her sincerity and tone had, shifting to treating Kessig more as an equal than anything else. 

A few more of the villagers began ambling out of their homes. Curious stares emanated from their dirty, withered faces. Each of them were in a wretched state. A woman with a long ragged, dress held herself up with a wooden crutch. A short, stocky man bore scars which covered his exposed shoulder; his left arm was missing, and so were his ears. There were no children anywhere in sight. And every villager appeared to have lost at least one limb. 

[color=gray][b]"If you don't already know what awful things are in these woods, then you shouldn't be here."[/b][/color] He said matter-of-factly, and opened his mouth to continue, but hesitated. He was patiently waiting for his own internal struggle to resolve itself. Superstitions were the only thing that had kept him alive in the wilds, and it was bad luck to spurn travellers. It could always be an spirit in disguise, or worse, an [i]immortal[/i]. Luck was fickle thing. It didn't like it when someone snubbed a powerful denizen of the world, and it struck back with tenfold vengeance. He had a taste of this as a young man, and has experienced more tragedies and misfortunes than most encountered their entire life. He wasn't eager to suffer through more.

[color=gray][i]Oh, what the hell.[/i] [b]"Listen here lass, you don't want to find yourself in any village from here to the Black Fens. There's nothing for you. Make your way north into the Heartlands. At least, you only have bandits, wolves and the occasional grendel to worry about."[/b][/color] He sniffed contritely. 

[color=gray][b]"Wait here a moment."[/b][/color] 
He gave a cold glare to the curious villagers before disappearing into his thatch hut. The villagers withdrew into their homes as rummaging noises drifted from within the hut. He exited, carrying a withered root under one arm, and a pewter chime under the other.
[color=gray][b]"You'll need the root, if you want to get through Brionac in one piece. It's not as dangerous as the Devil's Spine, but you better be careful all the same. The chime should keep the grave spirits away."[/b][/color]
He didn't seem happy to be offering charity, but he felt guilty sending people off into the wilds unprepared. They would probably die anyway, but it made him feel better.

Nara accepted the items from Kessig, giving a slight bow after she did so. [color=#2eb82e][b]"Thank you, we are grateful for you assistance. I hope that you and your kind find a bountiful harvest in better months."[/b][/color]

Kessig seemed unsettled by her goodwill and grimaced as if he had just tasted something awful. [color=gray][b]"Yeah... We'll pray for a good harvest, alright."[/b][/color] He said half-heartedly, and quickly changed the subject. [color=gray][b]"Keep your wits then, and stay close to the river. It should get you halfway there at least."[/b][/color]
He shook his head, suddenly feeling more tired than before, and limped off towards the fields. 

Kessig was halfway down the trail, when two more travellers arrived at the edge of Jhorm [@Shiyonichi]. A few sunken faces peered out at them through closed shutters.