#rescuemiriam

"Yes, my son. My boy. I do."

The pooka has grown far less human, her eyes dance with mischief "The suspense is dreadful, hope it lasts"

They are in the far dreaming. And already memories of past lives or before banishment fill them. Yet the ties they forged outside of it are not gone. There is a friendship here

The River Witch, the pale wanderer, the victorian lady - all live here, in her, she is many, but all are her...

August looks at back to his party, a hand trailing along Tiffany's neck in companionable friendship. "My companions. Thank you for coming this far with me. Will you come a little farther?"

A nod from the pale witch, dark eyes partially obscured by her trailing hair - at some point, the braid worked loose.

A grin to Zara, assured and certain.

The pooka looks as if unsure she believes him, but then he didn't say anything just ask, "I could just roll all over you all day. Sure... Let me get my.." She shifts right in front of them with them watching, now a Warg sized Springer Spaniel

"Oh!" A soft exclamation of surprise. She still has a whisper, but even Earl would strain to hear it.

Earl does indeed miss it, for he is thundering a response as all that is not troll seems to shed off of him "My oaths carry me , and duty compells. "

Magnus gives a laugh at all of this, it is a merry sound like fine bells that can actually feel the joy they bring. The guide, still relatively unchanged, leads them through many dangers. They avoid the Dire Swamp (Cousin to the Fireswamp) , move away from the Maw of Craftlove, and evade the feared poll takers of Nunya.

The sluagh creeps in the giant's shadow, finding refuge there.

Even with a guide, there are dangers, and they find one. "Your choice. Pay the gates price to come through, or go around and face battle. The price is a truth. Never a comfortable one. "

Hanging from the gate is a face like a leering man, crafted from copper gone green.

Zara skulks behind Earl, glaring at the gate.

"Do we all have to pay the truth?" Earl asks the guide.

"No. Just one person opens it up for a minute. Don't dawdle and it's plenty of time."

"We can be hasty, aye."

Magnus looks to August, "mm what do you think?"

Zara gently pushes Earl forwards. "A truth."

(Paused)