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Jack told us what he'd seen in the orchard, and we figured out how to attack the group. Even if it was a trap, as Cor thought, they were still there to be fought, and if we could keep more of these people from doing more rituals another night, that would be good. I reminded the others that these kind of 'blessed' (or spirit-inhabited ones) could have powers including impenetrable darkness, dangerous gold, freezing people in time, and hurling ice, while the warriors can slip sideways in time, so they can attack with greater force. (Another parallel there, between the Brothers. Interesting.)
We discussed what to do next. The other four people who'd been there for the previous ritual weren't there, which is part of why Cor thought it was a trap. Also, Jack described the Borlast brother going into the trees and glowing darkness, without killing the family in the house. Jack scouted along the wall, and heard a large group. He went back with Thymelixsen, who was able to tell that in addition to the two Borlasts by the trees, there were many Menarchic things, and three other powerful sources ahead: it seemed likely that these were the other people involved in the ritual, staying by the wall until needed.
We decided not to go by the wall ourselves, but loop around to the other side of the orchard from there.
Midnight struck, and the people by the wall (who now also seem to be floating rather than walking) started moving toward the orchard. Long coils of mist started settling down. It was time to interrupt whatever was starting, whether trap or actual ritual. Cor and Jack shot at the two floating ones they could see, then Cor told us to run. Mirashan and I ran between two houses, Thymelixsen not far behind us. Jack swung up onto the roof and hid while Cor fought one, then the two others who swung around the corner. He shot one of them while Cor dispatched the other two. Then Cor ran, grabbing Thymelixsen, who took an arrow from one of the other fighters coming to the scene.
I told Mirashan that Cor and Thymelixsen had used up the extra life from the Touch of Purity. She seemed intent to get away, but we shouldn't lose each other, and I don't know whether we were able to interrupt the ritual enough, either. (Certainly, we're not done enough to be able to leave tomorrow, as Hue had hoped for.)
We discussed what to do next. The other four people who'd been there for the previous ritual weren't there, which is part of why Cor thought it was a trap. Also, Jack described the Borlast brother going into the trees and glowing darkness, without killing the family in the house. Jack scouted along the wall, and heard a large group. He went back with Thymelixsen, who was able to tell that in addition to the two Borlasts by the trees, there were many Menarchic things, and three other powerful sources ahead: it seemed likely that these were the other people involved in the ritual, staying by the wall until needed.
We decided not to go by the wall ourselves, but loop around to the other side of the orchard from there.
Midnight struck, and the people by the wall (who now also seem to be floating rather than walking) started moving toward the orchard. Long coils of mist started settling down. It was time to interrupt whatever was starting, whether trap or actual ritual. Cor and Jack shot at the two floating ones they could see, then Cor told us to run. Mirashan and I ran between two houses, Thymelixsen not far behind us. Jack swung up onto the roof and hid while Cor fought one, then the two others who swung around the corner. He shot one of them while Cor dispatched the other two. Then Cor ran, grabbing Thymelixsen, who took an arrow from one of the other fighters coming to the scene.
I told Mirashan that Cor and Thymelixsen had used up the extra life from the Touch of Purity. She seemed intent to get away, but we shouldn't lose each other, and I don't know whether we were able to interrupt the ritual enough, either. (Certainly, we're not done enough to be able to leave tomorrow, as Hue had hoped for.)
