Iseldis lowered her hood and ignored the rain so as to let the villagers see her better. They were unusual visitors no doubt; this place likely rarely saw shirts of mail or fine white robes. She was tempted to correct them on exactly what their stations were, but there was a job to be done. They could speak more when the village was no longer terrorized.

"We're here to help," she assured them. "Where are the draugr?"

"Trapped in old Jerras's house on the edge of the village," an older woman explained. "He's gone to town, can't imagine he'll be pleased when he returns. They came in the night, the two of them, swinging in a fury. They've gone silent now, dormant, so you'd best keep your voices down as you approach. They'll be none too pleased to see you."

"Please, my lady," the younger man that met them on the road cut in, "a few were wounded before we could trap the draugr. Can you do anything for them?"

"How badly?" Iseldis wanted and would be able to help, provided they weren't on the brink of death, but again, it would be best to make safe the village to ensure no one else got hurt.

"Nothing life-threatening," he assured her. "But you do know healing magic?"

"I'm no expert, but I'll help them, of course. After the draugr are dealt with."

With that they were guided to the edge of the village, on the side venturing deeper into the forest. The house is question was somewhat large by their village standards and fairly well built. The doors and few windows had been barred and blocked, and Iseldis heard nothing from within. The few villagers that ventured out with them fell completely silent, and a tension settled over the air.

A nervousness swelled up in her belly, and her heartbeat quickened. This would be no sparring match; if she lost, the draugr would kill her, and run rampant in the village again. But draugr, while fierce, were said to lack much of the skill they had in life, and relied on ferocity and resistance to pain to overcome it. As long as Iseldis fought smart, and as a team with her new partner, she could do this.

The furniture and other barriers to the front door were carefully and quietly removed, until all that was left to do was go inside, at which point the villagers all cleared out to a safe distance, leaving Iseldis and Roland to their work. Iseldis pulled her staff handle from her belt and took up a position to one side of the door, nodding to Roland that she was ready. As he was the one with the shield, she figured he'd be better off going in first. And she'd be right behind him.