Murisaki quickly found herself lulled into a relaxed state as the warmth from the campfire began to chase the cold from her body; not even the magic of the endure elements spell could completely counteract the magical storm that still raged beyond the door of the quiet inn… but the warmth ws welcome and she found herself gazing into the flames that danced merrily in the large hearth…<br/><br/>Her eyes opened suddenly as the sounds of a crowd formed behind her, the fire ws suddenly roaring and the sounds of an active dining room filled her ears… As she turned, she found herself in the same room, the same place as before, but it was filled with people of nearly every race and color. Many were still dressed for a cold night, but there was no sign of the blizzard outside… A stout woman in a prestine white apron came bussling out from the kitchen, her hands out and a sad smile formed on her lips as she embraced another woman who stood by the door, “My Lady-“<br/><br/>“Jasna, I have told you that you are to call me Elaine.” An alluring, even beautiful young woman chided and offered her own sad smile in return before she accepted the older woman’s embrace. “I come baring ill tidings, but I must beg your help.” Dark green eyes met the innkeeper’s eyes before they traveled to the gathering of people in the mist of their meals and drink, “Come over here.” She said and pulled the old woman closer to the fire.<br/><br/>“The Baron?!” Jasna gasped softly, her eyes widening in apprehension, “Is he?”<br/><br/>“No, my husband still lives, but there is little hope… Father Grimborough seems quite certain that the illness is demonic in nature and it is beyond his power…he has sent beyond the vale for a stronger cleric, but…” the young brunette holds back a soft sob, “I fear that there isn’t time.. therefore, it falls to me to secure his legacy.”<br/><br/>My L- Elaina,” the older woman began, her hands in the young Baroness’es own, “Surely Grimborough is mistaken? The vale is warded against demons and has been for generations!<br/><br/>Elaina shook her head slowly, “Father Grimborough is quite convinced… and Brother Severna is trying to sway the Father to the idea that I am that demonic influence.” She sighed, “He has been obessed with me since the day I arrivedto meet my bethrowed and marry… you must know that he covets me in an inappropriate way and I fear that this is another way to force me to him for protection… and worse…”<br/><br/>“My Lady!” Jasna exclaimed and her cheeks colored, “Please forgive me… Brother Sevrena has made no secret that he finds you attractive… but would he… The Baron isn’t even dead and he attempts to claim you- our most beloved Baroness in 5 generations, could somehow call a demon past the wards and lay your own husband low? He is surely mad!”<br/><br/>Elaina looked about the tap room, “I fear you are correct… and he wants the blades… He has the dagger already… I know not how, but it is in his hands all the same… I fear that he may have some pact, but I could never prove it… Jasna…” She gripped the older woman’s hands more firmly, “I need your help, we must secure the blades before they fall into hands that may be linked with the workers of evil…A merchant perhaps? Someone that you know well who can be trusted to take the blades away and secure them… there is a monastery a couple of days away, I know the leader… he will care for them and keep them save… it is a small, obscure order, but no one would think to look there… we must act in haste; Severna may move quickly if my husband passes.” She said in a softer voice.<br/><br/>“Of course Elaina, I know of one here now…he will take them this very night.”<br/><br/>Elaina nodded softly, “I fear what that mad priest may do to me and Icewyne Vale…” She pulled a golden key from a pocket, “If you do not hear from me, keep this safe, it may be my last hope… he will not have me, by the Gods, he knows what my power may do to derail his plans.”<br/><br/>The innkeeper nodded, “I will keep it and if need be, use it myself!”<br/><br/>Elaina shook her head sadly, “If that key must come to use, find someone who knows the arcane arts well… it would not be safe for anyone else to use… I may have to… lock myself away in a way that he cannot get to me…”<br/><br/>Jasna nodded slowly, “As you wish My Lady, please be safe and may the Gods watch over you.”<br/><br/>Elaina nodded silently, lifted her hood over the dark curls, “My armsman will arrive within the hour, see that the cargo is sent out at once… the fate of the world may depend upon it!” then she leaves back out into a cold winter’s night, a carriage waited just beyond the door…<br/><br/>And the room suddenly returns to it’s original state.<br/>