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[h2][color=598527][i][b]Kathryn Pyke[/b][/i][/color][/h2][i][b][color=598527]Human, Battle Master, Level 03[/color][/b][/i]
[color=598527][i][b]HP:[/b][/i][/color] 31 / 31	[color=598527][i][b]Armor Class:[/b][/i][/color] 19 [color=598527][i][b]Conditions:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=598527][i][b]Location:[/b][/i][/color] Outside Bed and Breakfast --> Inside bed and breakfast
[color=598527][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=598527][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=598527][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
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[right][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/7884b36a-e3f0-48fb-9689-1a8fd4af7f5a.png[/img][/right]
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	The lights helped. But Kathryn was on edge. She could hear the rustling around her as she booked it. She could feel every dent and chip in her armor as she ran. She had scrubbed off the rust and patched it up so many times she had them committed to memory. She was scared, though she still had her wits. As it got darker though, she was worried they were out of time. She took note of Victoria and Marita following close behind. She'd take care to protect Victoria and the rest of the party this time. She had skills that fit a mercenary party well, but an adventuring party her main role was to protect the others for them to handle their tasks. And she was determined to physically crush any poor bastard that wanted to challenge her on this. Cavendish especially. Time after time he gave the weasel a chance to back off. A chance to end things before they escalated. He had mocked her about her heritage, her want to end things peacefully, so he'd get his wish next time they crossed blades. And she would flatten him until his broken body could be dragged to a cell, or he died whatever glorious death he deemed most worthy a man his station. And Kathryn would oblige. 

	What Marita brought up about the Hayloft was concerning. It was too late to sneak back there quietly. Far too late. "[color=598527]We should consider ways to get back without followers then. We also need to check in on Lea.[/color]" Kathryn said when she had finally stopped at the door. Now she could talk quietly without having to speak over her own steps. "[color=598527]Should we hold out with her then? The building may be stronger, and it has the space.[/color]" She wanted to say places with kitchens had better standards for keeping rodents out, but her travels with Ser Lucas brought to her attention that many kitchen outside of castles had standards that varied so widely, that there was little rule of thumb there. She'd just have to hope this kitchen was well kept. "[color=598527]We'll always have our camp later to fall back on.[/color]" The public house didn't have the advantage of being unknown. But it was a bigger building that seemed pretty well defensible. Their options were rapidly running out. And that concerned Kathryn. They took too long, and things were getting worse. It was getting darker.

	Then what concerned Kathryn, was just how quiet it had gotten. Were they gone? The rats? No, they had to be there. They had just backed off again. The bed and breakfast was quiet. It was dark, and looked nearly abandoned. What in the many gods was going on here? Did everyone up and leave? Kathryn set her torch on the ground on the stone so that it wouldn't catch anything, and approached. Her hammer lighting up the ways a bit, and her shield still strapped to her arm. She knocked on the door with force, though a small fraction of the force she used on Mallard's door. She didn't want to spook anyone inside and risk getting locked out. She took a look around while she waited for a response. It was getting darker. Then the screaming began. A scream that sounded like it belonged to someone who was about to experience death. They were out of time. The victim was close. Kathryn reflexively prepared a defensive position when the door opened, and relaxed to see Lizbeth. Where was Cecily?! The owner?! Anyone other adult who was supposed to be here?! "[color=598527]Lizbeth? Are you here alone?[/color]" Kathryn went to her knees and took off her helmet to listen to this poor girl. Cecily was gone. And left a note that was now the only clue they had to helping this poor girl.

	More screaming. Followed by another. They were out of time. They had to get moving. But Kathryn couldn't push herself to rush this girl. She was scared, and alone. "[color=598527]Lizbeth, things are going to be okay. We came to help, and that's what we intend to do. But we need your help okay sweetie?[/color]" Kathryn got back onto her feet, her helmet wedged between her shield arm and her torso. Kathryn attempted to step in slowly, trying to not frighten the poor girl anymore. Stepping inside, she saw the note, and the source of the only light in the building. The place seemed truly empty and abandoned shy of this small child. Her wide eyes watched as Kathryn stepped in. Kathryn still taking the extra moment to not bump her head into the doorway as she stepped. Thankfully, that wasn't an issue. 

	Kathryn knelt down, trying to suppress her own fears and concerns for the situation. Kathryn would keep her safe, that she was determined. Even more so than neutralizing Cavendish. "[color=598527]We're going to keep you save Lizbeth. And we're going to help however we can. May we please see the note? It'll be a great help.[/color]" Kathryn held out her gloved hand, a warm smile on her face, despite the fear and dread in her system telling her to wrap her arms around this girl as run as fast as her legs could take her. She figured she may end up having to do that anyways. They were out of time.