>>6062498Before they enter the ring of light, the second voice calls out to you. They ask if you have any water to spare. They have been on the mountain for days and have completely run out, and one in their party is sunsick. They offer to trade some of their spoils for the water and for the right to camp with you for the night. And otherwise they have no ill intentions and would just as happily pass through. You tell them to come forward, so that you may look at them. The one who spoke to you approaches first, introducing himself as Samuel Longsword of the Dawnhold. His companion, also the leader of the party, is called Salehamd, and their third member is Eomed, a scholar-in-training from Yngley-above-the-Sea. Samuel Longsword keeps long hair, as per the new Suthermenn custom, but it is dun like yours, unlike the shock of ice-white hair, like the finest woolen thread, that falls to Salehamd's shoulders. His smooth, pale visage and glowing eyes are things you've heard of tales, some of which you've frightened your sister with. But right now you hope their more grisly parts, especially the bits about the Ylfen rites of communion, are not true.
As for Eomed, who rides on the back of a hyrngat, one of the enormous, shaggy rams that you saw used as beasts of burden in the village, she seems as sunsick as Samuel had claimed. Her lips are cracked white, her hair matted to her forehead, and her exposed hands and face bright red. She wears the blue hooded robes of some Yngley institution. And, even as infirm as she is, it is a long time before you can look away from her face, and slow the pounding of your simple heart.
Salehamd says something, again in Ylfesh, and Samuel reiterates the request for water. Helmod finally wakes up from all the noise and before you can even explain the situation, hisses for you to tell them to get lost. He won't share water with a "Surmanni demon". You hope they didn't hear that. Both Samuel Longsword and Salehamd are well-armed, one with the titular blade, the other with a warhammer (that seems to be emanating a faint humming), and seem quite proficient in their use.
What do you want do?
>Ignore Helmod and share your water freely>They offered to trade for water, so accept their offer>Attempt to barter with them to squeeze as much as possible>Write-in 