Katya had let Xavier and Esperanza move in front of her as they trudged down the path. Let the two of them stick together as she brooded on the two letters and more specifically the difference between them. Where she had been wary of the initial letter, now she distrusted the contents of either letter. Which was the real letter? Who was this burgomaster? Had she been tricked in coming here? But why? It didn't make sense to her. So frustrating, she needed to know more.. The others had seemed just as surprised by this new letter, but while they were a crew, Katya couldn't count on them. The mist had dissipaded, but that made the going no less cold or wet. The ground was starting to get slippery underneath her boots. At least the path had become wider and it looked like people actually lived here. The dense forest had made way, opened up to open fields as the storm settled in. Thunder rolling around them, drowning out any other sound as the lightning streaked along the skies.<br/><br/>The rain plastered her hair to her skin while she let her eyes glide over the land ahead of them. Behind her the light was fading. Whatever the source or the truthfullness of either latter, both of them warned of Barovia at night. And of course, they had all heard of the wolves. So Katya was definitely inclined to believe that. In the distance loomed a dark castle, occasionally highlighted by the flash of lightning.  At least they were not far from an actual village. The promise of shelter had bolstered all three of them as Katya from the back could tell they had all picked up their pace.<br/><br/>Then a new sound came from the woods behind. A piercing howl. The wolves. Katya glanced over her shoulder as instinctively her hand came to rest on the handle of her knife. It wouldn't be much good against a wolf, allowing them far too close. But it was better than nothing. Katya was a girl from the streets, tough, but her strengths lay not in battling the creatures of the wild. That's what she needed a crew for. She certainly didn't want to be surprised by any of those beasts. The howling was so loud, she could only imagine they were numerous.<br/><br/>The warm light from the stables was alluring, but she could tell from the stranger awaiting them by the road they were not welcome. Katya dipped her chin, studying the man as Xavier talked to him. She knew that look on him, had seen it plenty on the streets. The look of those worn away by life, she had worn it herself until she became better at hiding it. He would be hard to fool, though. He looked like he had already learned to expect the worst from other people. Katya checked out Xavier and Esperanza and then returned to the stranger. The conversation between the two men chafed at her, but she bit back her impatience, knowing full and well the song and dance some times had to be done. Let het play her part. "It is a family matter that has brought us here." She said, stepping forward. Her posture assured, shoulders back as her weight rested between her two legs. Her voice was low, but melodious.<br/><br/>"Could we not step out of the rain in the barn? It would be nice to warm up somewhat while we talk. I can tell you more about our business here and you give us directions to an inn or tavern, or anywhere we might stay? I have been told it is not safe to travel in the dark." She interjected, offering a half smile her eyes flicked up to meet the stranger's eyes. Nothing too sacharine, she saved that for other types. Another wolf howled, other joining its chorus. Katya glanced back at the woods, with the storm clouds gathered around them.