DM Jamie d20=19 ; d20=15 ; d20=1 ; d20+10=16 ; Monday September 29th, 2008 1:45:10 PM
The breeze blows slightly as you watch the family you rode down the lift with go on their way. I has been about 24 hours since the crime occured and the areas has been devoid of any rain. From looking around their seems to be little disturbed. At least, that is how it looks until Zita happens upon some odd looking tracks off to the side along with some pipe droppings. Looks as if someone had been sitting here waiting. About 6 of them. They emptied their pipes and then there was alot of movement. Looks like a rather one sided fight and then someone was dragged over to the back side of the lift house. At which point they were carried off and placed in a cart. The cart tracks head off into the local fields.
Zita Monday September 29th, 2008 6:35:18 PM
A smile spreads across her face as she stay kneeling in that one space for a few minutes. "I think that I might have something of interest." Still in that same position she points out the tracks, pipe droppings and then the signs of a struggle of some sort. With a critical eyes she will move the group along a little to follow the signs...coming across the tracks of a cart.
Glancing to the group she cannot help but smile. "Glad you brought me along huh?" There is a flash of enjoyment in her eyes that tells you that she is enjoying herself. Even with all the people that must have been through here, this would most likely have been out of the way for anyone. "I would say at least six of them...maybe seven, but I only count six distinct prints." Glancing in the direction of the wagon tracks she cannot keep that same smile from lingering. "So...how you want to play this?" Yep, she finds the tracks and makes the others make a decision...and to think she is having so much fun doing it.
Caele Loregaard d20+8=10 ; d20+7=16 ; Monday September 29th, 2008 7:31:54 PM
Caele stays with the old Dwarf and will follow him over to where Zita is. He does not look happy at all when he deduces what happens and will attempt to find out anything Zita might have overlooked in the area. (search: 10!! ..horrible) He will certainly acknowledge how well she did if the conversation comes to it.
If he finds anything he will ask whomever he thinks is most suited for searching and tracking help. (tracking : 16)
Giovanni Monday September 29th, 2008 10:28:23 PM
Giovanni readies his crossbow, just in case the offenders are in the nearby area, which seemd unlikely, but better safe than sorry he told himself.
Bendis Tuesday September 30th, 2008 5:38:02 AM
"Tracks you say Zita? Well I guess we'd buh-better follow them then" Says the dwarf, setting off.
"So, what did you do before visiting Fort Silence?" Bendis asks his half-elven companion.
Dextre Tuesday September 30th, 2008 9:44:48 AM
When Dextre notices Giovanni ready his crossbow, Dextre nods and drops his bow into his hand so it's ready as well. He says, "Tracks? Nah, I can't help you there. I might be able to follow along some horse tracks, but anyone can do that. You folks just lead the way, and I'll be ready back here." He gestures with his bow as he says the last part.
Rosario AC 18 HP 29/29 Sheet Tuesday September 30th, 2008 6:13:11 PM
Rosario looks at his sister and nods. The tracks were nearly a day old and they got in a cart. "All right easy enough." Rosario leaves his own weapons right where they hang and takes a lead position following the cart trail. Of course unless he does not see the cart trail, then he gestures for Zita to lead onward with an after you and a smile.
Caele Loregaard d20+8=22 ; Tuesday September 30th, 2008 9:37:12 PM
Caele turns to the Dwarf as they walk and answers with his own question, "Fort Silence?" He then continues, "I've lived in and around the Blackheart Woods for over three decades." Before that I lived for 20 years in around Plateau City. He says nothing more on the subject to the Dwarf and continues walking. He strings his bow and casually knocks an arrow all the while scanning the area. (Spot: 22)
Zita Tuesday September 30th, 2008 10:31:10 PM
With a slight shrug she will lead the group, though not taking the lead, along following the tracks. Her own eyes and ears are attuned to the surroundings they travel through as she does not want to be caught unawares.
She does get a slightly pouty look on her face though as noone seemed to want to play along with her game. Not that she really needed a pat on the back or anything, just that they all seemed to want to protect her too much. Then again, she is the new Duke and she lets out an audible sigh.
DM Jamie Wednesday October 1st, 2008 12:19:30 AM
The path leads on into the valley. A few times you can see that the wagon doubled doubled back around as if they were afraid someone would follow them. The day moves on and as dusk begins to settle you happen upon a diserted campsite. Looks like they left a while ago. As you look around and get your bearings you also notice that you have begun to turn back towards where you came from. In the distance, on a hill, you can see Fort Silence (Caele this is the place you and your party stayed at before the girls was taken). As the sun goes down you can see the lights being lit around the fort. As night falls an errie silence decends upon the area.
Giovanni Wednesday October 1st, 2008 4:36:24 AM
"I'm not liking this one bit." Giovanni whispers to the rest. "Lets make way for the Fort if we can make it in short time, otherwise, best probably to hold up here. Maybe no campfire, dunno, this place is creeping me out."
Dextre Wednesday October 1st, 2008 9:14:19 AM
Dextre says, "Well, this place is where the other folks camped, and there weren't that many more in that group than we have. Seems like this would be a reasonably safe place to camp. Of course, if they're long gone, I wonder if we won't have to push along harder to catch up with them."
Bendis Wednesday October 1st, 2008 12:05:24 PM
"Cuh-camp? Shouldn't we press on?" asks the dwarf, concerned. "If the perpetrator of the crime is heading for Fort Silence, surely we should make haste? The longer we leave the trail the cuh-colder it gets. Can you follow the tracks in the dark, Zita?"
Zita Wednesday October 1st, 2008 7:50:44 PM
Glancing around the camp she once again locates the track and their direction is enough to send cold chills down her back. "Fort Silence..." She should not have to say more for those that know what they are facing. This is one place that she had not thought of coming back to for awhile at least.
Her head turns to regard Bendis and she shakes her head. "I can but only with enough light to see...my eyesight at night is not that good, though....." She glances up to see how well the moon is going to light the way as she might be ok with just that. After all, she would hate to hamper the nightvision that she already has with a brighter light. With other things on her mind she moves to check the place that the fire was made and see if she can estimate how long ago they left. She will even check the tracks as well, as they sometimes can reveal things like that as well.
Rosario AC 18 HP 29/29 Sheet Wednesday October 1st, 2008 8:51:16 PM
Rosario scowls, there were two places he did not want to go. Fort Silence was at the top of the list. "We would be seen, recognized and would alert the enemy to our exact location as word spreads that we had returned to Silence." The young man shakes his head as he speaks, "We are not going to Fort Silence." Rosario takes a couple steps closer to Zita and lets out a long sigh. "We simply can't Doeche." he says to her quieter but still audible to any nearby.
Rosario looks for something resembling a flat grassy spot and drops his pack. "Giovani is probably right on the fire too. I think we stay as discreet and therefore dark as possible. Pick up in the morning and see if the trail breaks away." Please let it break away Pantheon he silently prays. Drawing his sword, Rosario moves about 15' away from his pack, "I'll take first watch."
Caele Loregaard Wednesday October 1st, 2008 9:18:21 PM
Caele looks around at the group as he is pondering something. He clears his throat and nonchalantly makes a gesture when they have his attention (An old hand sign that normally only a guild thief would recogonize). He waits an equal amount of time for any type of response and then speaks.
He looks squarely at Rosario, "The woman Zita is a fine tracker and I'd wager she can stay unseen when she wants. The Elder speaks correctly in that we must go on. But.." He pauses slightly. "It would be nigh impossible to follow tracks--even on a fully moonlit night. Now if we had dogs it might help. I agree--stay here and camp. They know we're here and they know we're following them."
He turns to Zita. "You look soft but I don't think you are. I'm going to go observe the Fort. Any information you might have could be helpful. I don't know what history...", he pauses "or trouble you have there, but I might be able to gather some information and watch the fort for a while(if it's not too far away). I may be able to find out something useful."
And then to the rest of the group, "And I don't suggest you stay in this very spot. Get into a copse of trees aways off and stay there. Cold camp, double watch. Take my word on it."
He gets ready to sneak off to the Fort.
Dextre Thursday October 2nd, 2008 8:48:15 AM
Dextre listens to the discussion. When Rosario puts down his pack and mentions he'll take first watch, Dextre starts to look about for a flat spot without rocks to sleep. As he is sitting down, Caele makes his speech and mentions the trees and the double watch. Dextre nods and looks over at the trees gently swaying in the trees. Without getting up he says, "Double watch? If you're that worried about this place, then whoever did this kidnapping must be in with this enemy at Fort Silence, eh? Otherwise, they wouldn't have made it through the night."
He looks around and continues, "There's no sign of fight here, is there? Ah, no matter. I'm willing to take the first watch with Rosario anyway. I'm not that tired yet." He moves his things over under a tree, first looking up to be sure there's bird or animal about to leave a message on his pack. Then he checks his weapons and looks around.
Picci d20+6=7 ; Thursday October 2nd, 2008 4:04:25 PM OOC: Sorry for the uber-long period of non-posting...Real Life mangled my ability and time to post to the game. However, I have access now as well as the time, and so you should be hearing from Picci a lot more frequently.
The petite priestess has been extremely quiet all this time, thinking carefully about how their group is aiding Caele.
"I'll take first watch with you, Rosario," Picci pipes up, "That way I'll have time to pray for the intercession of the Powers of Good first thing in the morning." Then she smirks. "After I've made us something to eat."
The jet-tressed girl sets about gathering the ingredients for a camp stew made of the preserved foods the party has on hand, utilizing her expertise in the culinary arts to make the food as appealing as possible. Given the dearth of tasty components, however, even Picci's skill can't improve the flavor. (OOC: Picci's Cooking check is a mere 7--a naturally-rolled 1 has sunk her stew!)
DM Jamie Thursday October 2nd, 2008 6:32:19 PM
And as you begin to make camp the sun finishes its decent into the evening. Night comes on quickly. The moon is low on the horizon and is in the first stages of becoming full. It arcs over the silhouette of Fort Silence. It provides anough light to see, but not make out details. Nevertheless, the torches around the fort are still lit and from this distance those of you around the camp can see humanoid shadows moving all around the fort. For distance purposes the fort is probably about 1 - 1/2 miles away.
Zita pokes around the campsite looking for clues. You find nothing that would show signs of a fight or of anything out of the ordinary. The coals from the campfire are cold. You do not find any signs that they ate. Search DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { It is odd, you don't actually see any signs they stayed for any length of time. You merely see that a fire was started and put out at some time. The grass was flattened out as if people were here, but you find none of the common signs of people being here. No droppings, no remaining scraps of food, nothing extra burned in the fire, you also see no evidence of pack animals.}
Picci is able to whip together a stew of sorts from the surrounding vegetation, but the taste is rather bland. It will sustain, but not very happily.
Caele, you begin your trek towards the fort. It is not very far off and depending on how close you plan on getting easily approached. Please let me know what you are doing, how you are doing it, and what you might be looking for. Please make the necessary associated rolls and let me know the results.
For everyone else, the evening grows eerily cold. Little warms remains in your bodies. It is a damp cold. The night is silent and the stars begin to come out. There is an ever so slight breeze and you can hear it blow through the vineyards. Those of you who grew up here can remember being out on nights like this when you were younger and the feeling of freedom it gave you to be out this late in the vineyard. Being able to play and run through the rows. Now, however, that memory is forever marred by what you now know. In the distance you hear a long lonely howl. Its sound speaks to you of longing to find other like itself. And then from another spot a series of yips. As if saying you are not alone, just follow our voices in the dark.
Zita Thursday October 2nd, 2008 8:07:26 PM
Zita sighs and looks to Rosario with a nod of her head. "I know...but I cannot let those woman be taken without at least trying." Her eyes glance back into the darkness, not really liking the idea of being here or waiting either one. "I found no signs of these bodies eating or anything else. There were no signs of pack animals either...so we might have the wrong trail. Or they traveled on leaving decoys behind." She finds herself seated upon a rock, legs tucked up and hands holding her knees.
She glances to Caele and nods her head. She lets him in on a lot of the details about Fort Silence, though nothing of why they are hunted. For now at least he did not seem interested, though that bothered her a little as well. She watched his retreating back with a bit of worry and fear. With a last shake of her head, she let it go and just sat to stew over things.
Eating was not that hard and the food was not that bad, maybe a little tasteless but if you have eaten rations before...it was better. She does listen to the songs that sing out the night and she finds them drawing even to her. Though she likes the city enough, she has been raised in the wilds as well...or at least as much of the wilds as Fort Silence could give.
Giovanni Thursday October 2nd, 2008 9:24:34 PM
"Hmm, if the Fort is so close, why not spend the night there instead of out here in the cold." Giovanni shuddered a little as he wrapped himself in his blanket. He had missed mid morning meal, lunch, brunch, supper and now dinner was a bland fare in the least. He wished he had saved a little of the repast he had yesterday, but hadn't thought that far ahead. Rummaging in his pack, he pulled out some jerky he had squirreled away and slowly chewed on it, thinking of happier days.
Bendis Friday October 3rd, 2008 8:37:33 AM
Perhaps as a subconcious stratagem to block out the cold Bendis turns the current situation over in his mind, coming at it from as many angles as he can think of. Even the uninspiring food is consumed without complaint, the cerebral dwarf's thoughts a million miles away.
How, if at all, might this curious kidnapping be tied in to the Wold-shattering revelations they have uncovered? Were it not for the mention of the Ga'alian priest the dwarf would be inclined to think none at all, but he remembers all too well the curious link to Aisildur in the recent attacks on the Montdidiers. After all they have uncovered, that aspect of the mystery remains as impenetrable as ever.
However slim this lead, they must pursue it. They lack the power to confront the evil they have discovered. They don't know who to trust with the information they have found. All that is left for them is to uncover as much of the conspiracy as possible, in the hope that some vulnerability presents itself. And the fact that the trail is leading them back to the place where it all began suggests that they may well be on the right track.
So: why the kidnapping? Why were the villagers scared to speak to Caele and his companions? Was Laura a random victim or a specific target? And to what end? Sacrifice? Ransom? Or...
A sudden thought strikes him, and a chill spreads through him. Oh no, it couldn't be... could it?
"Oh gods...
Fuh-fellows, I think I might have a theory as to why that woman was kidnapped. Think about it; these parasites, these Th'lemen, they invade a host, right? And thereafter that host is utterly suh-suh-subsumed, a vessel for the Th'lemen, but indistinguishable from the orginal buh-being. And the Th'lemen, or S'thado, have some sort of plan to infiltrate and overwhelm the Wold, correct?
Well, how do you think a worm-like parasite manages to invade a host? If I were a parasite I'd infect someone in power, then use my subordinates to act as my agents, bringing me fresh victims to infect. Those victims in turn could go out and infect someone new: as they worked their way up the, ah, food chain (pardon the expression) the Th'lemen might cast aside the old shell and transfer to a new one. In that way they might quickly gain access to a person of power; a captain of industry, a high priest or a king. Start with a stable boy, move to a knight, then to a general. Absolute power in three steps.
Perhaps that's what's happened with Laura: perhaps these priests of Ga'al are led by a Th'lemen infected master. Perhaps their goal is nothing to do with Aisildur, but with the personal agenda of the Th'lemen leading them. Or worse, perhaps the entire heirarchy of the Aisildurian priesthood is compromised.
Whatever the extent, that would mean that Laura has been kidnapped in order to be infected with a Th'lemen. Maybe she knows someone the S'thado wish to target. or perhaps a person who knows a person.
Now, if that's the case, we'd be walking right back into the jaws of the enemy by continuing on our course. But on the puh-plus side, knowing our target, we might to once again disrupt the plans of the S'thado in so doing."
The dwarf tugs nervously at his beard and gazes into the starlit sky.
"Of course, I may well be wrong."
Rosario AC 18 HP 29/29 Sheet Friday October 3rd, 2008 4:38:06 PM
Rosario's nose wrinkles, "I know Zita's skills." he answers. "What makes you think they know we are here?" Rosario will listen to whatever answer is supplied and then adds his agreement that moving off the actual trail and campsite is a sound idea and with that he moves a few hudred feet away. As the young man walks past Giovanni he just shakes his head, "We simply cannot and that will have to satisfy you for now."
Rosario leans back and watches the stars as the others settles and then stands to wander about the perimeter. His weapons remain in thier holders and he varies his pace and route so as not to be easily timed, or at least that is the idea. The night was fantastic and it seemed so much further back then 5 years when he was dropping out of his window and running off into the black of the fields to pick berries and grapes. 'Never did make anything more than a rather nasty juice.' he says quietly to himself while looking to the stars with a smile.
Rosario looks back over his shoulder and takes a few steps closer to Bendis as the dwarf works the problem verbally. Rosario tries to follow best as he can, by Pantheon Bendis could talk "Bendis. could you possibly sum that up for the rest of us?" Bendis does and the light flickers on slowly in Rosario's head. Rosario thinks it over for a few moments and then offers the advise of his father, "One of the best ways to survive a trap is to spring it. Given Bendis is right we keep going." he nods to Zita and then goes back to his route.
His mind drifts to Caele moving up to Fort Silence, to home. Home blazes, to his land and holding while he is forced to piss away here in the dark cold of night. Rosario spits on the ground in disgust, but regains his composure after a breif pause staring into the distant torchlights. No he would see things made right again. The family is looking to him and he will see it done. His right hand clenches, snapping and popping as it does so.
Dextre Saturday October 4th, 2008 7:53:49 AM
Dextre listens to Bendis carefully and nods. When Rosario mentions springing the trip, Dextre also nods and says quietly, "We just need to be sure we're not in the trap when we spring it, I suppose."
Dextre Monday October 6th, 2008 8:45:57 AM
When Picci says that she will take first watch as well, Dextre shrugs and moves back to his gear. "Very well. I'll just get comfortable. Give a poke when you get tired, and I'll take over." He checks to be sure his weapons are at hand and then makes himself comfortable on the ground, leaning slightly against the tree.
Rosario AC 18 HP 29/29 Sheet Monday October 6th, 2008 12:17:17 PM
Rosario allows himself a small chuckle upon Dextre's comment, "That is always the biggest trick ."
DM Jamie Monday October 6th, 2008 7:30:36 PM
Caele goes off into the vineyard. Rosario watches him for a while and then he disappears from sight.
Caele let me know what you do and I will let you know what happens and if I need to change anything in this post.
The watches go well. There is hardly any noise surrounding you and the moon soon goes back down leaving the night black. The chill goes away after some time as well.
Bendis comes up with a good hypothesis and shares it with the group.
And there is speculation about springing a trap.
OOC I will check again tonite when I get home to see if I need to do any additions.
Picci Tuesday October 7th, 2008 12:40:42 AM
Looking after Caele as he goes off alone, Picci can't help but frown.
"Uhhh...is that a good idea..?" she asks out loud, nodding to the departing young man. "Weren't we told that the way those things infect a host is by waiting until they're by themselves..?"
Bendis Tuesday October 7th, 2008 8:20:49 AM
Bendis nods vigorously.
"Quite right Picci. We should stay together at all times. Perhaps I should have mentioned that before Caele left..."
Dextre Tuesday October 7th, 2008 8:37:59 AM
"So, with your experiences with those, well, 'worms' so far -- I understand they take over the host completely. Do they also take over the minds of the people, so that the new, um, 'shells' that are infected have all the thoughts and memories of the people, too? Because if not, I suppose we could come up with a secret phrase that we could always have to know if one of us had been infected and taken over. But if they do, well, I don't know any way to know that any one of us isn't infected at any moment..."
Rosario AC 18 HP 29/29 Sheet Tuesday October 7th, 2008 12:20:53 PM
Rosario answers Dexre a melocholy tone to his voice. "We believe they subsume the memories of thier victims."
With the morning, hopefully Caele came back :) Rosario looks to Zita to pick up the trail unless Caele's recon turned up information that changes the general plan from continuing to follow.
Zita Tuesday October 7th, 2008 4:38:26 PM
Zita finds the waiting the hardest and though she tries to busy herself with this or that task, she really does not have much heart for it. Still she is ready and wiling to take a watch and even lend a hand when needed.
Otherwise she spends most of her time in silent meditation, though what she is meditating on is only clear to her.
DM Jamie Wednesday October 8th, 2008 12:02:06 AM Still waiting on Caele
CaeleHighlight to display spoiler: {, I am writing as if you made it up and back. You crawled through alot of the vineyard and finally made it to the clearing at the edge, about 300 feet from the fort. For the time you spend there you can see their is a constant guard. You can't tell if they are trained or not. You recognize a few from your stay.}
The night goes well. Those of you on watches notice their is movement all night at the fort. Not alot, but you can see their is some form of protection all night.
Caele returns after a few hours.
The sun rises in the morning and with it comes the warmth of light. The trail continues towards the fort.
Bendis Wednesday October 8th, 2008 7:58:39 AM
"So, into the lion's jaws" gulps the dwarf. "Has anyone got any ideas about how to handle this? Should we just approach, or try to sneak in, or should we wear disguises?"
It's hard to imagine how one might effectively disguise the bearded, pot-bellied, spectacle wearing dwarf.
Dextre Wednesday October 8th, 2008 8:23:00 AM
"Having not been there during your last visit to the Fort, I'm wondering -- how, well, 'well-known' and welcome are those who were there? Are they going to demand your heads as soon as they see you? And what of the worm creatures? Do you assume that there are many that have taken many of the people at the fort?"
Rosario AC 18 HP 29/29 Sheet Thursday October 9th, 2008 12:18:43 AM
Rosario bites his lip a bit as he seems to be trying to come up with the right words to answer Dextre. It takes him a few long minutes before he nods, apparently having decided. "We do not want to go to protect those of Fort Silence. They will know us on sight and word will be through Fort Silence that we have returned before we even reach the wall. The more people who know our location, the more danger we and all of those around us are in. I do not think anyone at home has been taken, but if we return they likely will be. The enemy hunts us. We have slipped away and he is looking fo us. Anywhere except Fort Silence, we can just be adventurers. I can assure you Dextre, no one at Fort Silence would demand our heads."
Rosario wants to tell him more, it is obvious, but he stops speaking and looks to Zita with a nod and then gesture to start on the trail. Trust, such a simple word, but one the young man does not believe he will ever speak or give again. That was detroyed that night and was far to fragile a thing to be rebuilt.
Zita d20+7=8 ; d20+7=10 ; Thursday October 9th, 2008 12:48:10 AM
Zita nods her head and lets Rosario have his lead on this one as she does not know exactly what to say. There is no way that she is going back to Fort Silence till all this mess is taken care of and she is assured of the safety of everyone.
With a last sigh she moves off to see about hunting those tracks again and see if she can help them to follow them. Of course she is more than willing to wait long enough for the new guy to show back up. She is feeling tired and stretched to the breaking point and this shows in her abilities with signs this day. Plus she cannot even bring herself to come up with any ideas of locations nearby that might be useable.
[knowledge(geography) 8 and survival(track) 10]
Dextre Thursday October 9th, 2008 9:01:31 AM
Dextre thinks a moment, then says, "I suppose then, perhaps we should consider quite extensive disguises again? Anything to make it less possible for the enemy to know our location would be better, would it not?"
DM Jamie Thursday October 9th, 2008 9:06:56 AM Game announcement: Got an email from Jerry last night. We are going to be suspending the game until we figure out what we are going to do. We are looking at canceling the game and absorbing characters into other games where you would adjust your character level or we are looking at the possibility of making a new permanent game and combining your game with the other one that is considering canceling. Jerry sent the email out to everyone if I rememebr correctly (I am at work right now). Please think about what you would like to do and email Jerry back with your thoughts.
Dextre Friday October 10th, 2008 8:16:45 AM
I can resist to Borg assimilation! ;)
(Didn't get an e-mail from Jerry, maybe he's sending it later today)
The skulking elf Friday October 10th, 2008 9:50:25 AM
An elf lingers just on the edge of vision. He seems to be watching Rosario. ;)
Rosario AC 18 HP 29/29 Sheet d20+2=17 ; Friday October 10th, 2008 1:23:52 PM
Rosario looks about, another long day of not much. The perfect kind of day, if you were Bendis. For Rosario the call to arms and the excitement and rush that came with combat made the time inbetween torturous. Perhaps he could convince Zita to go with him to The Floating City and become a gladiator. There he would hone his skills and plot the death of the Overlord. Vengence would be his and Justice would be served by his fathers sword.
DM Jamie Friday October 10th, 2008 8:41:29 PM
The morning breaks and you are all breaking camp. The movements go quickly and soon you are all ready to go.
As you begin down the trail towards the fort the devices begin to flood your minds with images. To those of you who were not there the first time the effects are a bit unsettling. It is like you are caught in someone elses memories and visions. Soon you are all lifted above your bodies. You can see yourselves moving down this path... or is it you? Something is different. It seems to be the day before. You see the campers from the previous night. They are trampling down as much grass as they can. They are heading towards the fort. Then their is a rushing of air and you are looking down at yourselves again. You can see Zita out front leading the group down the path.
Suddenly you can see a group of men numbering about 20 slowly make their way towards you through the vineyard. You try to yell, but you can't. Then you move towards the fort against your will. You can see from the uppermost window the woman who some of you once called mother. Smiling as the group nears the trap.
You are then pulled to the roof. Your grandmother is there. She looks right at you and with panic in her eyes says, "They have taken over the Fort. Almost everyone here has been infected. Run. Run as far and as fast away as you can. Spread like wildflower seeds in the wind. In one years time I will come for each of you. In one years time we will reveal ourselves to them."
You feel the rushing of air again as you are hurtled away from the fort and you come crashing down into your bodies. You are back to just leaving camp again and getting ready to move down the path. In the distance you think you can see a group of workers making their way into the vinyards. Looking about you all turn and begin to disperse, remembering the words of the grandmother and each of you understanding what must be done. Without a word you all turn and run.
In the distance from the fort you all hear a scream...