Scene 2: Three Shadows Emerge

You all get into a cart and prepare to head to the location the elf marked on the map. It takes a little over an hour to get close. You feel rested from sitting for the hour. The edge of the graveyard is clearly before you. Up ahead the trees thicken to the point of being functionally a wall. According to the map, this is the area in the graveyard you need to go

Crow sends his bat into the air to find the entrance unless one is obvious, otherwise he just sends it into the graveyard to scout and report. ....Crow the casts the light cantrip on a stone and tosses it to the tree line, illuminating the shadows.

The bat flies out of your 100 feet where you can see through it, returning seeming confused. One thing you saw before it got too far away was a fog.

The light struggles to escape. It's as if the trees are controlled by a dark force using them to physically choke anything inside them. It would take something as small as a squirrel to move between these trees.

Crow has his bat settle onto his shoulder ready to warn him of any unseen enemies within the range of its blindsight...

"Well those trees don't look friendly...Should we look for a way through or make our own path?"

There is a path you see through the trees. A stone pathways that has chipped and broken over the years shows the way. It seems to bekon you, as if a monster beckoning prey. The trees are tall, roughly 20 feet at least if not taller in some areas.

The cart was transportation, not a luxury conveyance which Bells backside could attest but their immediate need combined with their number had left options limited. Better the cart than walking thought the bard as travel time was spent healing her rent skin, braiding her hair and finding just the right dress that said "death to skeletons". At least three times, Bells had asked Hunt if her current outfit was the one before waivering and moving to the next before interpreting his look to mean his stint as fashion consultant was over.

Talk about thematic! The moon hung in the sky illuminating the branches of the trees like giant fingers that might wrap you in their dark woody embrace. Did the other's hear that? Surely it was only wind swirling leaves before scraping them across the stone path. Sure, Bells had an overactive imagination but the graveyard setting was starting to creep her out. And Crow certainly didn't help the matter with a bat. Drat the man!

As you know, I'm going to announce to one and all because of my bells that I am coming so stealth isn't much of an option because nobody is leaving me by myself out here. I suggest we rush forward trying to capitalize on this cult not expecting us to know who they are much less where.

"Let’s take the cart through the gauntlet " suggests Crow "Who here is willing to take the reins?"

Jingles jangle as the bard stands in the back of the cart surveying the distance while giving consideration to the width of the path ahead. A quick nod seemed to decide whatever internal argument Bells was having with herself as perfectly manicured hands are placed on the wooden railing before the bard vaulted over to land in the front seat. Taking over the reigns, a wild look blazed in the woman's eyes, "Hold on, boys! You might be in for a rough ride!" Yee Haw! And with a slap of the leather stinging the hide of the horse, they were off!

Assuming the others are also onboard Crow readies Eldritch Blast and prepares for introductions.

You all debate for a bit about the best course of action, but eventually those that suggest simply charging into the path outvote all others. You agree to get into your cart and Bell snaps the reins and the horses charge forward. These horses are not war horses and built strong only to pull whatever load is in the cart. They have blinders, but the graveyard is still terrifying.

After a minute of the horses going at a gallop, you all hear the sounds of predator animals to your left and right. You aren't sure if the animals are actually there or a manifestation of dark magic, but the horses start to act as though the are under threat. As they panic, they pull you into a fog that is so thick you can only see about 10 feet before it is just white mist (heavily obscured).

Xcha tries to help get the horses under control.

A rough ride? Damn!

How hard could it have been? The path had been straight with the forest itself limiting lateral movement but Bells had lost control almost from the moment her hands had touched the reigns. Perhaps the bard had foolishly thought the placid workhorses would be easy to control but the beast while usually having a docile temperament had been spooked. The bard did not have the sheer power to exert control and by the time Xcha made an effort to help, his strength was wasted as those straps of leather holding the horses in place snapped.

All Bells could do was make a desperate grab holding onto the seat as the wagon rocked then the left wheel raised off the ground causing the whole conveyance to shudder as it skidded to a halt now slightly askewed across the path. "I thought we were going to flip there for a minute! Is everyone whole? I think they now know we're coming!"