Chapter 3: Silver Isle, Floating Market

"I'd say that's pretty damning evidence, Phillip."

Zale calls out, "We're not going to hurt you. We're here to help. We just want to talk."

Having left some ammo to be slivered, ian heads inland to help the others.

Grog huffs a loud sigh as he grips his greataxe in both hands.

"Phillip, woolly eyes! Witchy woman, Grog no like!"

(can we say Ian walks into this?)
Wait ye CAN say more than Grog?

Nela excuses herself and head back to the ship to get more babbles. She really one wants the very pretty silver necklace that the elder showed her the first time there. It was the prettiest one they had. She brings now 2/3 thirds of her stock pile. That be twice as much as just had with her.

I have brought more. I really like that necklace. Don't know if I can stop the captain, but I will try.

Nela turns to Valraks, Aren't you needed at the ship? Only way those repairs are going to get done right. Your the best to make sure we are getting a good deal.

"I'll do as I please!" the captain snarls. "Maybe I'll stay here an' drink til we're ready t' sail! Are th' two of ye followin' th' others, or what?"

The elder gives Nela a thumbs up, points at the necklace, and waggles his eyebrows.

Valrakas looks like he MIGHT stay put. You won't know for sure til next morning.

Okay. I will check up on the ship. She takes her leave and does head down over to the ship. She has too much on her mind at the moment to deal with the elder for the necklace. She downs her metal flask of rum while striding there.

Pauses on the way and stops to ask anyone she sees where she can get cask of stronger drink. Where's one to get a cask of the good ole stuff?

has already set off into the woods

THE HILLS

With Zale's assurances that you mean them no harm, a score of scruffy people emerge from their curious rock abodes to descend and gather in what is presumably their communal space, a bare patch of earth ringed by ragged fishnets and salted fish hung out to dry.

The hillfolk's features match Magda's, but the defeated eyes and posture are worlds apart from the haughtiness the crone radiated.

The owner of the voice is a gaunt, bearded man in a frayed but colorful vest reminiscent of the boat you saw burning this morning. "Please," the man says wringing arthritic hands together, we've got nothing left to give. Between the Coven and the Silverbacks, we've lost everything!"

We're new to the island, can you give us a bit of information on these two groups? Who's the Coven? And who's the Silverbacks?

"We thought you knew Magda? She and her sisters, Gemma and Lilith, they're the hag coven. This side of the island's their turf. We pay them a tribute or else they take our children. The village on the south side, the elder and his most trusted men are werewolves. The Silverbacks."

The man grimaces, "The Coven keeps the Silverbacks away from here, but they make it impossible for traders to reach us, or for us to go to the Floating Market without paying them an extortionate percentage. This morning, Magda took Lyza and Henry, and some others with her to go to the Market. Haven't heard back from them."

The man scratches his head. "So you're saying nobody sent you here? Why ARE you here?"

"Magda took the baby Lena and headed this way. Where can we find the coven's lair?"

"Lena? That's Lyza and Henry's kid! Do you know what's happened to them? The Coven's hut is that way beyond the hills."