The Truth and Sickness

Well, we finished fighting that drake, and we were all pretty roughed up. Except for Sharos. That guy got lucky! Ava seems pretty quiet, she's not speaking to anyone now. That's ok, I don't feel like talking to anyone either. I can't stop thinking about that hut. After some time on the river, as people are discussing future plans, I can't take it anymore. I finally interrupt. They all stop when they realize I'm speaking. I blurt out everything. The hut, Baba Yaga, my spell, my fears... everything. I am surprised when they all step up to tell me they will actually protect me!! I did NOT expect that. ESPECIALLY from Theo and Sharos, those two I hardly know! This brings me much comfort but I am still not at ease, but I feel much better now that I know I am not alone.
 
We got to Thurmaster and at first, I thought the place was deserted. The buildings outside were abandoned and run down. We docked and ran into a kind-looking halfling. Chi stopped and spoke with him for a while and took out that cursed dagger to show him. It looks like she sold it to him. I'm glad he doesn't have it anymore but now I am concerned someone else has that thing. I guess another problem for another day. For now, we have to unload the skins that Theo got off the crocs and find a place to stay and get some real food. They had picked some sort of red fruit off some low-hanging branches as we were coming up the river, but I could go for a real meal. We make our way to the local shop, if you could call it that and Quinn bargains with the keep as I look around. There is almost nothing in here, how does he even stay in business? We make quick work and make our way to the tavern. It's run down, but it's to be expected in this dreary place. We settle on 5 silver per head. Seems expensive for such a place considering the last inn was 5 sliver for all of us, but we have little choice. We pay up. Food isn't even included! We get some sort of mutton and ale. The ale tastes more like water and the mutton isn't very good. Quinn does his best to fix the flavor so it can be eaten. Chi hands me one of his red fruits and it's much better tasting. I'm about halfway through when Quinn mentions something about the meat in the mutton smelling old... That might have been useful information prior to me eating it! We go to leave to deliver our letter as was our task and on our way... yup, the mutton!
 
I run to the side of the building and out comes the red fruit, the ale, and the mutton. I am miserable. Quinn comes over and gives me something to help. I feel a bit better, but I still feel horrible. We make it over to Tausters place and deliver the letter. I find it difficult to pay attention as I am just not feeling well. I have to excuse myself at one point and return to find that he wants us to stay a few days... DAYS!! I ask where can we actually eat without getting sick. He informs us that staying at the keep is a much better choice. Well, we have already paid for our stay tonight, we will head there in the morning. He gives us a paper to collect coin at man named Marlens. As we head over, I am once again overcome with sickness. This time Theo gives me some root and I feel MUCH better. Thank you, Theo!! We collect our coin and this man continues to crank out things going on in town and discuss how we are THOSE types. Not sure what he meant, but I am not liking this man.
 
We go back to the inn and I take Falkor with me to go to sleep as everyone else is wanting to hang out downstairs. I get up into our room and look at the bed. The bedding is stained, dirty, and there are bugs in the bed. I am resolved to sleeping on the floor instead but the floor is not much better. Look, I will sleep on the forest ground, I am ok with being dirty, but this, THIS.. this is filth. I go back downstairs and let everyone know that I am NOT sleeping here and I would rather sleep outside. Chi states he will go with me and Sharos, he is so sweet and decides he will go too because he doesn't want to leave us unprotected. So out we go to look for a place. I end up finding some sort of lean-to/shed thing. Thank goodness too because of course it also rains, all night! As if the evening couldn't get any worse! At least I am not sleeping in the gods know what with insects crawling all over me! Time to get up in the morning and decide what we do for the day!
 
Man I hate Thurmaster!