Varrin said nothing as he hugged his mother and held her close for a bit. Eventually he let her go and pulled away. “Well, as nice as this is, staying here won't bring Maddie back, so... I guess I will go find a book about the Wild Hunt to read...” He gave a final reassuring smile to Angelica and headed out, in search of suitable reading material.
Ashton blanches, but nods. He puts up a defence, but can't stop a single strike of hers from getting through. The leaden core of the practice sword means that her blows are heavy and powerful, leaving Ashton struggling to stay upright at the end of the tenth attack. Mirellia knows that her son is going to have bruises tomorrow morning, but he manages to stay standing. "H-Hah...I did it." He groans. "I've earned...my reward." Ashton puts his sword on the ground, leaning on it.
Abigail grins at his joke, standing up a little to grab her pack and handing him a flask of wine. "We'll share." At his question, Abigail shrugs. "There's more to everyone than meets the eye, and you've already seem me dancing naked by the fire, summoning spectral monsters. I know what you're talking about though. Let's just say that when I get emotional, I can be somewhat 'animalistic'.
"Interesting! Interesting, I think this sphere object is what we're after." Samuel listens attentively to his wife's story, making thorough notes. "I think we'll be able to figure out which casino is from the description you've given. There can't be too many of that size owned by a single criminal, so narrowing it down shouldn't be too hard. Next will come scouting, but you've helped us a lot." He reaches out to squeeze her hand. "Well done, my love."
'Thanks,' Ard took the wine and sipped from it, handing it back to Abigail. He mused, 'Hmmm, "animalistic"? And what would cause that to manifest when you get emotional? It is not something I have ever heard happen to humans.'
"Hah. Yes, yes, you did." Mirellia sighed, seeing how nonexistent her son's defenses were. "But still, absorbing the blows, rather than blocking, parrying or evading is suicide in a real fight. Well, at least your endurance held out." She lectures him some more, before putting away her training sword. "So, what is it you want for a reward this time?"
She chuckles. "You know where the library is, I assume? Not that you've spent much time there." There's a hint of mock reproval in her tone. As he goes to leave, she takes hold of his wrist, pulling her towards him and kissing his lips hard. "Kick their butts for me, okay, dear?" With a hopeful smile, Angelica lets him leave. Heading down to the castle library, the young noble finds rows upon rows of books, mostly owned by his father and by Isabella, both rather erudite figures. He finds a few bestiaries and folk tale compendiums that mention the riders of the Wild Hunt. Most say what Varrin already knows to be untrue, that they're immortal, ethereal spirits, but there's one that catches his eye, a crackpot theory that claims that the hunters are elves from another world, far more powerful than the elves of this one, who travel freely between dimensions to capture slaves.
"If you mean to imply that I'm some sort of monster, you're wrong." Abigail uses fire magic to warm up the wine, before taking a swig. "I'm just a humble human witch, who was cursed by a far more powerful sorceress." She hands back the flask. "It's not too much of a cross to bear, though. I'm generally good at keeping my emotions in check, and my transformation helps me butcher witch hunters. It's how I saved Corinne."
Ashton slowly recovers, looking up at his mother. "Actually, I was thinking that you'd come up with some sort of suitable reward."
"Hmm? That will be... troubling. I've no idea what kind of rewards you'd want." Mirellia replied, "Well, we could make a list, and depending on the reward. You'll have to put in extra effort, let's say parry all my blows, and I'll have a blacksmith forge a sword for you." She gave her suggestion, while thinking about more types of rewards.
Ard took the wine again, 'You like it better warm?' He took a swig, 'Hmm, not bad.' 'That was one possibility. I have heard of berserkers in Skellige and other such were-humans. It was not too far fetched. Interesting,' Ard smiled at Abigail. Ard rose from the bath for a moment, water cascading down his body, he rummaged through his pack for a bar of soap, before returning to the bath. He got in behind Abigail, 'May I?' With her approval, he lathered up his hands and started to work it in to Abigail's skin, 'What do these markings on your arm mean?'
Elves from another world capable of traveling between dimensions? Well, that would explain how they just vanished... and it'll make getting Madeline back even more difficult than it already is. Varrin frowned as he read the book. Their armor seems pretty tough, and combined with whatever magic they used to cover the land in snow while passing by, I can see why some people think they are immortal ethereal spirits. I should read this book carefully, and see if I can find similar ones... That's when he remembered something he had forgotten. But first, I should take off my brigandine and return it – I doubt I will need it here. Between his worry about Madeline and how comfortable it was, he had completely forgotten he was still wearing his armor. After taking the time to remove and return the brigandine Varrin went back to searching for information about the Wild Hunt.
She squeezes his hand too as she thinks. “I might be able to help with that too. Currently, I’m trying to work him into “buying my debt.” which means, I’ll probably be given the front door to their hideout then. Risky, but should be valuable if I can get him to do it.”
"Ah yes, I've heard of Skellige's beserkers, though I've never seen one." She nods her assent, leaning forwards to let him settle in behind her. "Thanks. The markings? Oh, they're old runes, to symbolise my skill with magic. I got more and more of them as I learned more magic from my grandmother."
Unfortunately, Varrin has no more success in divining more information from the library. It seems like useful information about the Hunt is exceedingly rare.
"You do know that even as a merchant, you should at least know how to defend yourself. And even if you did, how would you do so, with a wooden sword?" Mirellia said in a stern tone, "But very well, what is it you want then?"
"Okay, just don't put yourself in any danger, dear." He looks a little guilty for putting her in this situation at all. "He wasn't disappointed that you didn't... you know?"
'They are quite beautiful,' Ard said, as he caressed the skin of her back with the soap, 'So you are all alone?'
He makes a show of thinking for a moment. "Well, the maid here hasn't really been up to my standards. Perhaps you could take her place for a little while?"
