<sup>Characters: Oleg and Svetlana<br/>Mood: Indifferent -------&gt; Friendly<br/>Frog Level: Moderate, still live in a swamp all alone<br/>Tag: The party<br/></sup><br/><br/>Svetlana let a little burst of emotion cross her wholesome face. She was beyond relieved that so readily the strangers, odd looking lot, had been so willing to come to her and Oleg's defense. Hope sprung eternal as they say and Svetlana couldn't help but be swept up in that feeling. Letting her now hope filled eyes wander across the table, she was even willing to push down her shock at all the table licking shenigans and odd looking green skin(as well as failed charisma rolls). She had been used as the sole reason that the bandits tormented her husband, their violence threatened on her and she desperately desired to be free of this tyranny. Looking over the tables at Oleg, the man had a stoic face and yet there was also a surge of a emotion in his usual stony gaze. Both had lived under the tyranny of bandits for so long, they only sought the freedom that had brought them from beyond the walls of Restov to the Stolen Lands.<br/><br/>She realized there would be a bevy of questions coming her way as she quickly moved around the table. Oleg wasn't one for talking though as he quickly busied himself about some other work on the trading post. He was one to let his wife talk for him: a man of actions and hard work. Svetlana liked to talk as well and was able to do it will the practiced grace of premiere hostess. She quickly went about refilling the glasses and bowls of the stew for the helpful travelers with ease as she filled them in on the situation.<br/><br/>"I thought for sure news of our predicament is what brought you here. We sent a letter to the city requesting aid from the bandits and one of the hunters saw you leave Restov, heading this way. He figured you were the reinforcements. " Svetlana said matter of factually as she went about her work hosting the adventurers, and dodging all sorts of exotic creatures on the dinner table " Right glad you are willing to help though, could definitely use it"<br/><br/>"To answer all of your questions about the bandits, I don't know if there is much to tell. They originally arrived with roughly 15 or so men one day. Rode up from the south as fast as someone fleeing judgement. They rode right in and started making demands. The more basic, though still rough looking men, answered to a pair of two." Svetlana shivered a little bit as she thought about the two "One was a gruff looking man who took orders from the crazy hatchet lady.....she.....she" Svetlana needed a second to compose herself as she thought back about the that lady "She threatened to cut off Oleg's arms as she stole my wedding ring right off my finger!"<br/><br/>Svetlana let her head a droop a little bit in shame "That was after her gruff boy toy threatened to rape me right here in front of Oleg. Oleg really loves me you know?" She said with a snivel as she looked down at the crystalline reflection in the water pitcher she held aloft "Oleg did whatever they wanted just so they wouldn't hurt me...."<br/><br/>Oleg grunted from where he was quickly fixing some ramshackle old board but didn't say anything as he went about his work. With a slight sigh, Svetlana continued his duties around the dinner table and her tale of woe "The bandits came back for their 'tax' next month with fewer people and when we paid, they came back the next with even fewer. Now they are coming to collect on the morning and I am sure they will have even fewer. I havn't even see crazy hatchet lady again either......" She said as she looked up at the adventurers "I don't know much about strategy, but I will do whatever I can to help, as long as it doesn't destroy our home!" She put emphasis on the final word as she could have swore someone mentioned blowing something up!!<br/><br/>Finally, she got to Alni's question "Umm I am not sure. South in the Greenbelt, there is many wild groves guarded by fey and other wild creatures, if the rare flower you seek is anywhere in the area, it is there."<br/><br/><br/><br/>