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Babushka's eyes go round. "Can deer hide be made sturdy enough for armor? I always thought this was a very soft leather, more suited for breeches and jackets than for armor. I've used it as a seamstress in combination with felt and wool cloth.
It is very kind of you to offer me the hides, thank you very much." She beams, obviously touched by the gesture.

After their meal, Babushka retires soon, looking for a comfortable spot. "Good night, wake me when it's time for my watch" she announces to the group.

"Of course." Jerrard says with a smile. "Rest well."

Learn spell 1d100=23 Success. It's 3rd level yes? )

"Yay!" Locky grins, snuggling beside Babuskha she strokes her hair taking her watch. "You should all rest."

The night passes without incident and eventually, morning arrives.

Once morning arrives, Jerrard spends 10 minutes memorizing Read Magic, casts it on the scroll, and realizes it holds a spell of Suggestion. He then quickly sets to adding the spell to his spellbook. He is successful, and the scroll disintegrates into dust afterward.

Meanwhile, Thuskar and Ulster help break down camp while everyone else has some breakfast.

===========

Jerrard casts Read Magic and learns Suggestion.

(OOC: We'll just assume he waited until morning, memorized Read Magic, cast it, then learned Suggestion then.)

It is now Summer Run 20, Morning Watch.

After gathering all her belongings and shouldering her backpack, Babushka asks: "Well Dara, which way do we go now?"

"I can't wait to get moving." She says as she prays to Paladine. "Who else is still hurt?" She adds.

(Good plan... Wasnt thinking.)

Commiting the spell to his spell book he stands with a look to Dara, "You said we should make it by the evening. Is there anything worth knowing about them? Any social situations we should avoid for example?"

"Same order as before?" He asks Imani.

"We will continue south," Dara says. "I'll lead the way, no worries." To Jerrard, she adds, "Just let me handle the talking, I'm sure we'll get your friend back without a hitch. But you may want to keep your women-folk under close watch while we're there." She giggles.

Imani nods. "We'll stick with the current order. It's worked for us so far."

"Even me?" Locky asks with a giggle.

Fikod gives a noticeable 'Hrmph!' at Locky's comment, sending a dagger spinning from hand to hand with the flourish of a wrist. "Fear not me priestess, no harm shall come to ye as long as I yet draw breath. Although... Supposin' a trade fer some of their fine centaurian spirits were on the table..." He teases, flashing a grin from under his coal-black mustachios.

"I'm not even sure they'll see us as women, Locky" Babushka says matter-of-factly. "After all, we're small as children. And I wouldn't say we have prominent female features."

After that, she falls into marching order with the others.

"I wonder what they would do with me, if they did." Locky muses, taking her position in the marching order.

----------

"We'll protect you, of course. Imani, you should stay with Ulster and Thuskar, we don't want to loose you too!." Jerrard smiles, walking with Locky.

The party continues further south for another six hours without much incident. Dara mostly keeps quiet, save for the occasional giggle.

Eventually they reach a very dark portion of the forest. The contrast is quite clear, green and healthy trees on the side the party is currently on, black and twisted trees on the other. The air seems thicker, and harder to breathe. There's less sunlight, although the canopy doesn't appear any thicker than normal. There's a feeling of oppression weighing on the area.

"This way," Dara says, pointing to the darkened area. "We're almost there."

=================

It is now Seventh Watch (1:00 PM).

"How interesting. Is this the bad part of the wood?" Locky asks Dara, "They live in there?"

"Lead on, stay alert." Jerrard advises.