Nirael listened to the two of them amused but thoughtful. There were a few different ways to proceed, and while Nirael was hoping to deal with their pursuers eventually, he was not certain that they were powerful enough yet. Catching one group unaware when they were sneaking up on him and Lunari was one thing, but facing another hunting group might put their lives at risk. He felt determination to keep the others safe, but knew all too well that blood would have to be spilled several times before things would ease up, if history had taught him anything.<br/><br/><strong>"Whichever way we go, we should probably expect pursuit. While I think releasing the horses might buy a little time, it would be foolish to ignore the fact that a bit of coin will be necessary for us as well. Selling them might allow a foe to determine the way we have come but it would also put coin to our pockets to pay for food and lodgings... and change of mounts along the way I imagine. I would say we should head to the town and sell the horses, even if it gives the foe a hint we've been there it is better to gather some coin where we can rather than throwing away a chance to put some padding to the travel stash."</strong>He smiled a bit apologetically to Lunari. Nirael felt he should tryand contribute to the travel funds someway later, but for now, they'd have to do with what they had.<br/><br/><strong>"Nonetheless, I am tempted to go visit the mage living to the north, yet there's no guarantee we would receive help, and the foe appears determined to hound us."</strong>He allowed himself a faint sigh there, rubbing his forehead and then looking at Lunari.<strong>"If we return to where you originally set forth from, and look for those notes, I imagine we may discover useful information on our foe and the device. Given that Marda was a foe to the one that carried the object before, the notes should have some helpful answers and perhaps ideas on how to take this foe down. I am merely worried about the long journey, and being exposed. Once we are on a ship, it'll be easier for the foe to track us as they aren't looking for just a few people but a ship. We'll depend on the crew's skills to get us to our destination."</strong><br/><br/>At this point, he rubbed his forehead but looked at Lunari and Mara.<strong>"If this was just me, I'd rather visit the mage and try and get aid, possibly a spell to allow us immediate travel to our distant destination even, but with both of you around its not just my life at stake and I'd rather take the longer but more certain path. We'll likely have to prepare to fight pursuers a few times along the way, but risking the trail north and finding ourselves denied any help by the mage there is something I'd rather abandon for now."</strong>He sighed. It meant leaving behind the plan he had before, but even that had been a reactionary plan with a brief thought and personal preferences dominating other factors. Thinking of the safety of those he travelled with, he found himself more inclined to take a longer, but more reliable road to their destination.<br/><br/>Besides, with any luck the notes would allow them to prepare properly and defeat Marda on their own strength later on.