Chapter 3: Silver Isle, Floating Market

"Now do you believe us?" the village elder cries, "She and her sisters are all baby-eating witches!"

"Just cause she knows magic doesn't mean shes a witch. And perhaps thats her grandchild. Why is everyone so quick to judge others based on their appearance?"

Stop now. all ye lot. show her self Magda or we will kill ye. we wished ye nae harm but are being a fool

"What the -" Zale startles as the baby is stolen from under his nose. "I knew there was something wrong with her! Where is she?"

Nela seems to be concerned now as negotiations has been lesser. My Elder, how can we sail our vessel closer so repairs could be done? Seems she is trying to divert the current conversation more to getting the ship repaired.

His attention moves back to Nela. Aye. save the ship. An Zale, Grog, Phillip. Find the bairn

Though Magda's passage leaves nary a trace, Zale's booze-enhanced senses pick up the faint sound of Lena's crying moving into the woods to the north - the direction of Magda's Cove.

The Elder is upset that Magda slipped through his fingers, but doesn't seem overly concerned about Lena. When he hears Ian speak of finding the infant the Elder shakes his head, "The babe is hillfolk, just like the hag. I tried to save her, you saw, but I won't risk men on a rescue mission. You people do as you like. If you rid the island of the hag coven we'd be indebted to you. If you can rid it of all the hillfolk, well, that'd be even better!"

Ian's eyes narrow.
whot have the hill folk done to ye?

"Witches and dark sorcerers, all of them! They steal livestock and children, and use them in unspeakable rituals!"

"Not to mention, constantly undercutting our prices on goods, and attempting at every turn to bypass our very reasonable shipping rates!"

Runs a hand over his face in frustration.
Roight.....sigh. We just need t resupply, fox our ship and head on.Can we do that here?

"I'm convinced Magda is what they say, but it would be good to confirm it with real evidence of witchcraft," Zale murmurs to his companions, "I have a feeling, though, that the rest of these hillfolk are being unfairly maligned by these villagers. I guess we can't blame them - they've been terrorized - but I say let's not jump to conclusions."

Ian nods. Aye Zale. I agree

Grog grips his greataxe in both hands, and nods in agreement.

"Grog wolfy dwarf! Grog hunt!"

"If you're setting out overland we can provide you a guide at a sizeable discount. You can dock your ship here - we'll make sure the guardian doesn't bother you - and make repairs. Our shipwrights are the best in these waters, and offer staggered payment schemes for their incredibly low rates! Wait, there's more: If you rid our island of our hillfolk problem we are prepared to offer you weapon silvering services for not one, not, two, but THREE weapons each at half price! What are you waiting for? You'd be crazy not to take this deal!"

Ian smiles. Knowing a businessman when he hear one. We need to confer a moment, aye?
He motions Zale and the others aside.
I'm nae sure I trust them, but whot can we do?

I don't trust them nearly so far as I could throw that guardian of theirs. But, I'd rather treat with them then a hag coven. That said, we know repairs won't be a quick thing. Is there a problem with us setting out to deal with these folk, especially if it can save us some coin on SOMETHING? Jack says, scratching his head.

Ian nods slowly...Aye. But...could they just be superstitious...obviously Magda is trouble...but...we need to fix the bloody ship and figure out where in the hells we are.

"Could you silver our weapons on credit? That would help us in the fight against your village's enemies."

To his crewmates Zale mutters, "We don't even know what they accept as currency here. Nela says silver and hold are no good!"

Appears lost in thought