Into the night

JP with Esimed, Winteroak, Bandorchu and Lucian.

Timestamp: Plains north of Ostiarium

Sir Zane strained in the fading light to make out the bonfire in the distance and the source of the drumming. One thing was clear if they made camp for the night they would have to go on cold rations. Otherwise they would risk to attract attention to themselves. Although it seemed that whoever had created the large fire didn't much care for discretion. They could ride away and put as much distance between them and it on the open plain or go check it out. "Right. With light fading fast we need to start a camp soon. If we stay around here to that means cold food and no fire to warm ourselves." he put laid their options for the others to consider. "Or we check that out and see if it's going to be a problem and try and deal with it before it trouble comes looking for us."

Alexis considered the options before answering.

“It might be worthwhile to get some intel on this before we make a decision. You up for that?“ She asked her companions.

Tarmen scowled at the fire. For all he cared it was a ritual or some sort of party, but the survivor part of him knew he needed to know. He could handle a cold night, but the paranoia would be torture.

“I agree. Might be nothin’, but better safe than sorry.”

Melandra's nod of assent likely went unseen in the last dying light of sunset. "Proper festivities can go on for days; we have no reason to assume this assembly will disperse any time soon. We need information and we won't find it lurking around out here in the dark." She sniffed the air and shrugged. "Whatever happens, it does not smell like human flesh they are braising, but our horses may not fare so well."

“I hesitate to ask how you know how that would smell, so I just won’t.”
Alexis dryly retorted.

The Knight of Salos nods. He is of the same opinion. Riding away in the dark could be dangerous and making camp hoping no one sees them not the kind of strategy he would likely employ. "Let's wait until it gets a bit darker and we can try and aproach using the cover of darkness." He says looking at the fire burning and listening to the the drumming that appears to have become louder.

"Tarmen, Melandra, circle around in a wide arc, staying out of the light. Me and Greyriver will try and get closer and see what we might be dealing with..." He looked at his companions as they waited a bit longer for night to fall.

"The natives are sure to use their own system of tracking the days, so it's interesting that this gathering of theirs is taking place so close to our own Fall Festival. Perhaps they celebrate this particular time of year in a similar manner as do we." Melandra arched her eyebrows at Tarmen. "We may be expected to join in their frolicking…"

While not the excitement he had initially come to this land for, Zane had said this was a diplomacy mission. He returned the look with a soft chuckle.
“All depends on the natives themselves. Might not want to mingle with savages such as us.”

The group approached from different directions using the cover of night, making their way towards the bonfire. As they approached what appeared to be a makeshift camp of sorts, they could see three men playing the drums, while an older woman sat not far from the large bonfire. A sizeable piece of meat was roasting over the flames. Everyone noted that the temperature was falling sharply in the night air.

Alexis crouched low close to Zane.
"They certainly make quite the spectacle out of themselves. I wonder if it’s really only those four?’
She looked around to evaluate how large that group might be.

Sir Zane looked around keeping Greyriver to his left hand side. He scanned the area and could see no others traces of other living beings. What could these four be doing out here alone in the plains when most tribes had moved south for the winter, he wondered.

The old woman looked away from the flames and stood, facing directly at where the Knight and Greyriver stood crouching. She opened her arms wide in what seemed a greeting and beckoned at them to join her by the fire.

“Whelp, so much for staying hidden. Should we take ‘em up on their invitation, Sir?” Greyriver asked.

He knew some of natives were capable of usual things. Common sense dictated that they should run but something about appearance of this strange camp so close to their chosen path towards Fang, picked his curiosity. He grunted. "I think it would be rude not..." He said and walked towards the camp.
Alexis nodded, falling into step with the knight.

As they walked into the circle of light the drumming stopped. Alexis and Zane could see that the three men all appeared to be blind, their eye sockets empty and black. The woman moved back towards the fire and sat in a wide carpet made of tanned hides. Her grey, shoulder-length hair clumsily hanged over her craggy, wrinkled face.. Hollow black eyes, watched thoughtfully over the two newcomers to her fire.
"Call your friends. It is going to be a cold night away from the fire." She said loud enough that her voice carried to Melandra and Tarmen.

Looking about this very unique cast, Alexis wondered if Melandra had been onto something and they had happened upon a ritual of the natives - just not the kind the flamboyant woman had in mind.