Jazdia listened, and at the same time observed the castle with her eyes. There were no sizable forces being prepared or mobilized. She had suspected that there was a connection between Pesti and Fanghorn, and had prepared several countermeasures to deal with their reactions, but now everything played as if it was not the case. Apparently, the enemy was blind, even more so than herself. 

Her attention shifted to a certain bear who climbed onto the cart and began some healing spells. Some reprimand or two ought to be in order, but to think that the bear was here and not somewhere else in the forest doing God knows what, maybe she didn't need to freak out 

"[color=7bcdc8]Wha' hit ya? Ain't ne'er smelled da likes. Mebbe summat I should look ou' fer?[/color]"

[color=ec008c]"The usual saltpeter and black powder."[/color] the elf chimed in. [color=ec008c]"Enchanted with condensed mana and runes for remote detonation."[/color]  
Jazdia knew she might overlook a few elements, but knowing that Matilda was there and glared at her like an angry warrior with a wounded pride, she stopped right there and gave her a playful wink instead. 

[color=ec008c]"I have received a report from our hunter. Is there anything interesting in the scenic route you took, Mister Bear?" [/color]

The bear hummed. "[color=7bcdc8]Nothin' un'us'al. Jus' trees 'n grass. Pesti road an' the bridge south shoul' be all over-growed li'e at' 'ere patch near da gate buh naow.[/color]"

It took several moments for Jazdia to fully comprehend what she heard, and she was damned sure she heard it right. The forthcoming interrogative uttered instinctively. [color=ec008c][b]"You what?!"[/b][/color] 

"[color=7bcdc8]"I's assumes 'as whatcha wan'ed, seein' as ya wan'ed da roads all closed like. Aint nobuddy gittin in er ou'.
Wunner why the sides aint all o'ergrowed.. 'hem fellas in da castle spotted li'll seedlins in da dark er what?[/color]"

[color=ec008c]"It was not what I--" [/color]

The bear looked at her indifferently.  

Yeah yeah, druids were a such piece of work, but to think he took a literal meaning of her order, it was... confounding indeed. 

[color=ec008c]"So you are saying we have some more of those vicious vines growing on the road somewhere between Pesti and this place?"[/color] she touched her forehead, but immediately regained her composure. [color=ec008c]"You know what? I will see this as a blessing in disguise. There will be nothing coming behind us when we deal with this damned castle." [/color]

[b][color=#a4161a]"So, if I'm getting this right, we'd just stroll in there? And then what?"[/color][/b]

At the Rosenving daughter, Jazdia nodded. [color=ec008c]"We will improvise, but the objective is to reach the tower. I have considered all the options we have. I saw a single passage leading to the inner complex, but relying on a single rat-way, without knowing what awaits us at the end of the route is ill-advised. Our other option is to go loud and assault the compound. This too is a risky, stupid move and prone to causing collateral damage."[/color] she paused, feeling a tingle as she glanced at the destroyed bridge.

[color=ec008c]"We will approach the castle peacefully. As King's Agent normally would. Our dear Captain here is our perfect excuse to infiltrate the place, invoking the law of hospitality in the process. We are King's People, tasked to retrieve the Prince per His Majesty's order, we were attacked on our way to the Western Province, but unable to return to the Capital due to a very unusual overgrown blocking our way back. We are there to seek shelter while we wait for help from the Capital." [/color]

Jazdia exchanged glances at everyone present. Some of them would require a stronger alibi, but she was confident. With Matilda with them and her sealed document, they will manage.  
 
[color=ec008c]"Once we get in there, it will be easier for us to plan ahead and improvise if the enemy somehow discovered our true intention. We will meet the opposition at our optimal number, undivided. Any more questions?[/color]