Your entrance into the village proper is accompanied by silent glances from folk going about the rest of their day. Talk is muted, and those few you come near, cease their discussion and move on. Most are of mixed blood, Rivish and Engolthen features predominate. Several children follow you, a dozen or so paces behind. The tower and palisade lies to your left as you wind your way through the timber buildings.
Ahead, you see a two story wattle-and-daub building with the curving casements you’ve seen in a number of villages in your journey north. The conical roofs of the village buildings are a contrast, however, to the tall peaked roof of slate stones that surmounts this building. There is a gate to the side of the, leading into a fenced courtyard. A wagon wheel is nailed above the building’s main door.
As you move across the muddy ground, you hear a shriek off to your right. Nado wheels about, his hand going to his scimitar.
"Adak seda! Fera esh'areb a'ada!" comes a high-pitched voice. It is followed by peels of mindless laughter. An old woman, dressed in filthy rags, her hair unkempt clutches a staff. She stands awkwardly, back bowed and hand outstretched. "Wellwishers! Ha! Deef a'ada! Kivna knows!"
Nado glances at Fintain, a bemused expression on his face. "Well old mother, greetings to you as well."
The woman looks familiar, and it takes but a moment to recognize the old figure who cried out at the funeral rite, the one playing the part of the Crone.
"Mad? Ha! Falif osa-anod strangers! Kivna knows! Where you are! Where you were! Where you will be! Ha!" She cackles gleefully, then stares at you sullenly.
"Well. That's all well and good, mother. If ye be cold and lonely tonight, please, come a'calling on my companion Fintain here," smiles Nado, pointing his thumb at Fintain.
"Ha! Wise are you? Ha! Wise am I? Ha! We shall see. We shall see! Deef a'ada? Ha!" she mutters. With that she turns about, and awkwardly walks between a pair of cottages.