With everyone within the barrier Zolya activated the runestone causing it to light up dimly and the activation visibly cascaded around as the other runestones in the ring lit up. Then a transparent barrier shot up from the ground a meter out from the runestones creating a dome over the entirety of the Stoneworks. As soon as the transparent barrier was a good 3 meters up a second barrier consisting of a dense mass of brambles covered in barbs and thorns shot out of the ground creating a second layer over the transparent barrier.

A second Apex that came out of the tunnel soon figured out what happens when it senses anything hostile as it's branches reached out and ensnared the creature as it came within a meter of it. It tried to struggle the best it could breaking a fair few limbs in the process, but in the end it only resulted in more branches lashing out and dragging him into the mass with greater fervor, the barbs sinking deep into it's flesh as the brambles constricted and pulled in all directions at it's body and limbs. It's muffled screaming barely audible beyond the mass of brambles and the barrier as it's bones snapped, ligaments broke and flesh gave way, tearing the creature into ever smaller chunks.

Having activated the barrier Zolya quickly got back to Raudd and ID. [color=#018c3b][b]"Just so you're aware, the background count is going to drop a little and there'll be quite a bit of haze due to the barrier. Most of it should be limited to the edge of town though."[/b][/color] She advised their guest as they walked through the town. [color=#0050ff][b]"A little better every time. Oh, and it looks like we don't have to do any defensive sorties this time, the barrier just took down the first Apex that appeared."[/b][/color] Raudd followed up as he noticed the big signature behind them become nearly invisible.

After a rather casual stroll through some side streets the group reached a little cafe nestled into an alcove of the street. [color=#0050ff][b]"Grigor can we get the Marble room?"[/b][/color] Raudd asked as he walked through the entrance. A burly man with thick bristly mustache working behind the counter gives a nod. [color=#0050ff][b]"A coffee ouzo please."[/b][/color] [color=#018c3b][b]"Café glacé au caramel for me."[/b][/color] Zolya requested as she followed her brother into a separate room while the man busied himself with making drinks for his patrons in the somewhat busy cafe.

The Marble room was a small room set up with a marble topped table large enough to comfortably fit the six birch with creme colored upholstery chairs. Potted plants lined the room and a stained glass window gave a nice view of the market without them being able to see in. Nearly within a minute of the group sitting down Grigor came through the door with the drinks and set them on the table before quietly leaving again. [color=#0050ff][b]"Much better. Now we can talk."[/b][/color] Raudd said after taking a sip of his still blisteringly hot coffee.