-----One of them leads her into the barn where two other men are sorting through various weapons and attempting to organize the recovered weapons into groups. Some of the weapons appear to be made by humans, while a wide assortment of crude humanoid weapons are displayed.
-----Jeilin is handed a short bow; its wood seeming to be strong but supple. It is already strung with a sturdy bowstring. They also give her nine arrows bundled in a small quiver that she can wear at her belt.
-----One of the men speaks up to the guard that brought Jeilin in, “If we had horses we could keep them in this barn along with others I’ve seen in the village. Mention to the watches that we need to look for strays wandering out in the plains.”
-----Jeilin leaves the barn where she left Shakalee in the care of the men there. As she walks outside, night is coming on. Torches are carried by those who patrol the trail roads that lead in and out of the village. Hardly any of the women and the children are seen as they have probably been ushered into one of the many buildings for the night. Still, the feeling here is urgent and busy as the freed warriors continue their patrol and gather occasionally with each other to confer.
-----Jeilin, at first, does not see any of her most recent companions. However, as she walks toward the inn, she sees Jyan, the young mage, heading in her direction. He nods to her with a grim expression and pauses to speak with her.
-----Jeilin asks, "The hobgoblin mentioned a high priest and two lesser ones, and another witch. Have you heard of any of the villagers seeing the use of their spells or powers?"
-----Obviously, the question appears to interest him as he raises his eyebrows and says, “No, I had actually forgotten about them myself in the battle and following Sol. I have heard no mention of them at all.”
-----Jeilin nods her thanks and bids good night to Jyan. Seeing that most have gone indoors and not being one for conversations, she decides to retire and pray for spells for the next day. The earlier rest should also allow for a bit of pre-dawn stargazing, if the weather allows.
-----Jyan then makes his way along the eastern road as if making for the gate on that end of the village. Jeilin moves forward passing by a group of three warriors, one of them a husky looking woman. They wear chain armor and carry shields that once belonged to humanoids but have been stripped of any hobgoblin décor.
-----Up ahead she sees the Inn and off to the right, she sees off the square, a few homes and a barn-like structure where woman and children seem to be gathering.
-----Seeing this, Jeilin decides to have one more try at talking to the villagers to see if any of them have seen more of the followers of Helator and the other magic user.
-----Jeilin speaks briefly with five of the women that she meets and they indicate that during their captivity they saw only the slave trains from Ravenhold that sent them here and then only the accursed hobgoblin force.
-----“Followers of Helator?” a voice says behind her as Jeilin questions the women. Turning, she sees a warrior behind her stripped to the waist while a leather skirt protects his lower trunk. He hefts a primitive looking club with make-shift spikes adorning it. His shoulder length hair is dark and he looks at her with intense eyes.
-----When asked further, he reveals, “When I was first brought here, I saw the riders with horned helms. Some of the men that were imprisoned later spoke of the horned riders and the witch that lived here. When we were freed, I hoped I would meet them in battle, but it didn’t happen. Some of my friends said the evil ones fled south when the fighting started.”
-----"Thank you," Jeilin replies to the warrior. "We shall pursue them shortly to the south. But while they were here, did you see any of them using their powers?"
-----“No, I did not,” the warrior answers. “Some of the ones I was captured with said the priest of the evil one could make their weapons blaze with fire. The witch with them was said to throw fire and cause the men to lose their wits if they stared into the flames.”
-----Jeilin nods and asks further. "Have you heard any of their names, by chance?"
-----“I heard that they only refer to each other as their rank,” the warrior says. “I don’t know if that is fear of revealing their true names or if their order is that strict.”
-----"Likely both," Jeilin replies. Thanking the man, she decides that there is no more to be done for the night and prepares for rest.
-----The man then bows quickly and treks off. Again, the night seems almost depressingly gloomy as the clouds overhead cover and spoil any attempts at any astral observations.
-----“Are you looking for a place to rest this night?” Jeilin hears a voice ask her over her shoulder. Turning, Jeilin sees a short old woman looking up at her with a beaming smile.
-----"I am," Jeilin nods. Looking at the old woman, the priestess suddenly thinks of something while they walk. "I also wonder, madam, if you would know if there are any temples of Estim in this estate?"
-----“Estim?” the older woman says with uncertainty, “No, my dear, I don’t believe I know of any and certainly not since the current troubles. You are looking for guidance or some question about the past?”