Matoya the Witch Appears: A missing Crystal and PIRATES?!

[Zenthor]

"What?!" Zack exclaimed.  "I thought you just used that thing to see.  Not... Y'know.  Live."  He thought a moment, then glanced at Craig, then back at Matoya.  "So, some... elf took your crystal, then, Mistress?  What are we waiting for," he turned to the others, suddenly no longer feeling the urge to whine about the old hag now that he knew she was dying.  "Lets go get that bastard!"

[Olvelsper]

"What is it?" Craig archly asked at Zack's look. "Elves being out of their lands is an exception to the rule, not the norm. It was probably someone else. At any rate, we know where to go next."

"Only way to Elfland is through the sea, and the closest harbor is Pravoka."

[Nephrite]

"Well, then let's get going!" Quatre said, smiling. "We can't do anything here, right?" and with that, he started back towards the exit, but not so fast as he'd leave the others behind.

[Zenthor]

"Oh, I know, I know.  It just strikes me as... a tad odd that two people from Elfland left at around the same time... and to roughly the same place..." He turned to Matoya.  "We'll be back with your crystal soon enough, Mistress."  He turned and followed Quatre before waiting for a response from either of them.

[Olvelsper]

"Take care of yourself. We'll be right back with your crystal." Craig turned to his talking skull friend. "Hey, Morte. Mind watching out for Matoya for us while we're gone?"

[Dracos]

Morte considered.  "Well, I could stay around with the old bat."

"Who ye callin' an old bat?" Matoya's eyebrows twitched.

Dracos

[Olvelsper]

"Obviously not a ravishing beauty such as yourself." Craig rolled his eyes as he soothed the seer's ego.

[Dracos]

The old woman blinked a bit and laughed a little.  "Why aren't you a silver tongued young man.  Anyhow...I guess I wouldn't mind some company."

Morte, well, he didn't shrug, the whole lack of shoulders prevented that, but he did start wandering around the cave, checking it out.

Dracos

[Olvelsper]

"Well, we'll be off, then. C'mon, everyone." Craig waved the others to follow after him. "And thanks for the help, Morte."

He lead them out of the cave.

[Nephrite]

Quatre nodded and hopped back on his horse, waiting for the others. "So, Pravoka it is then." he smiled.

[Zenthor]

Zack climbed on his horse, shaking his head disdainfully.  "She can be a real witch sometimes, but for someone to just go and steal her crystal like that..." he muttered to himself.  

"So," he said, looking to the southeast.  "To Pravoka.  But... how can we be sure we'll be able to get a ship there?"

[Nephrite]

"We won't. But doubting ourselves at this stage of the journey won't get us very far. Let's just push on and see what happens." Quatre said, and started on the path towards Pravoka.

[Zenthor]

"I suppose you're right.  If all else fails, we'll just steal one.  Not like anyone will be using one for something important."  Zack started following Quatre back through the valley, rivers, and forests.  Oh my.

[Olvelsper]

"Usually everyone needs to go through a ton of red tape to be allowed to leave or stay at the harbor. Hopefully we won't have to even set sail to catch the thief if they were unlucky enough."

[Dracos]

And so they started off, past the rivers surrounding Matoya's mountain hideaway, traveling along in the woods towards Pravoka, the famous port city of Northern Corneria.  A wild and energetic town, known for it's rowdy nature, fierce sailors, and wild barfights.

But first they had to get there... And there was a chill wind in the air as their horses rode through the forest.

Something nearby to the east making a thudding noise that caused their horses to whine loudly in fear, pausing for a moment and nearly throwing Zack from his horse.

Dracos