Vorostokov

In the morning the party and Mikhail left the witches and headed toward Vorostokov.  The air was still bitter as the party headed out into the vast spaces of snow, ice and fir trees.  Night had settled over the land, which may have been a blessing.

The village was surrounded by snow-covered fields, and the glittering band of a frozen river wound past the sleeping cottages.  Across the river from the village, there was a large wooden palisade and the peak of a high roof was visible behind it.  Guttering torches flared before and open gate in the palisade.  "Gregor's hall," explained Mikhail.  "We should ask some of the villagers if the boyar has returned.  We may be able to collect a few weapons -- there are many in Vorostokov who have no love for Gregor's rule."
The group cautiously moved toward the circle of cottages trying to keep to the shadows with the furs drawn up over their heads.  The lights of Vorostokov's cabins were yellow and dim, and the shadows were deep in the village's alleys.  The wind was gusting, bringing forth icy tears.  Suddenly a pair of large men in furs rounded a corner!  They drew swords from their sides and advanced.  "Who are you?" one of them demanded.  "I haven't seen you around here before."
Mikhail pushed Varrid forward whispering "Traders from Oneka."  Taking the hint Varrid told the guards that the party were traders from the village of Oneka.
"What about those little short ones?" demanded the guard.
"Oh, we brought some youngsters along to learn how trading works and to see the big city,"  Varrid responded.  The whole party was subject to a cursory examination by the guards who finally grunted and said "Well just make sure not to get into trouble.  We will find you if you do!"  With that the guards moved off seemingly to circle the village. 
Mikhail led the way to a large cabin with a snow-matted roof and knocked softly on the door.  A moment later, it was opened by a thin old man with white hair and a face like seamed leather.  "Mikhail," he said, surprised.  He looked over the group, and then motioned for everyone to come in.
Inside the cabin was filled with all kinds of cured pelts and skins, as well as raw skins stretched on racks to dry.  A gaunt woman sat by the fire, sewing several pelts into a warm cape.  The host straddled a chair a spoke.  "I am Andrei.  My wife is Miri.  I can see that you are strangers to Vorostokov.  "Who are you. and why have you come?"
After some discussion of the heroes desire to topple Gregor from his pedestal, after retrieving their gear of course, Andrei warmed to the group.  "I will help you fight the Boyar as best I can," he stated forcefully. 
"Who can we trust in Vorostokov to aid us against the Boyar?" asked Arvien.
"First, I would talk to Tarak Tupolek.  He lives with his mother, the widow Tupolek, who's husband Yuri challenged Gregor before the creation of the boyarski," answered Andrei.  "You might try Katerina the Trader, she has skis and snowshoes.  "Her husband Nicolai defied Gregor but was later killed by a wolf.  You have to be careful though, her son Mastislav wants to be a boyarsky member," Andrei offered.
"Do you know anything about the Boyar's hall?" wondered Ralom.
"I don't, but Anatoly the Carpenter oversaw the hall's construction and knows a lot about it.  If you get in the hall look for big red-haried boyarsky -- That's Vladislav, and he's not a bad fellow.  He might help you if you can talk him into it.  Bring his brother Olaf with you."
Arvien was hungry and asked about the availability of food.  "Pavel Cherensky runs the alehouse, you should go there to see what measly remains he might have," replied Andrei.
After getting directions to the alehouse, Anatoly's house and the widow Tupolek, the party headed back out into the night to trek to the alehouse.  Summergale was sent high into the sky to look for the traveling guards and anyone else who might be a spy.  She reported that the guards were slowly circling the town on the north side now.
The alehouse was mostly empty.  When the party entered pudgy man of middle years leapt up and welcomed them, urging them to sit.  A gray-headed woman ordered Pavel to get the order quickly and she waved a pair of teenage girls to bring beer to the table.  Pavel, the pudgy one, offered a scant menu, took their orders and went to the back to cook.  Meanwhile the twin girls brought a glass of beer each to the party members, giggling as they did so.
When the meal was served in was measly indeed, small steaks and few vegetables, but Arvien didn't mind but dug right in.  Ralom meanwhile determined that this Pavel had evil tendencies and was not to be trusted.  He warned the party not to discuss the hall, the Boyar or their weapons and gear as ears were probably alert for any mention of these.
After the short interval it took to eat their meals the group headed back out to go to Anatoly's cabin.  Varrid was on the look out for any body following them around.  Summergale reported that the guards were by the bridge on the river Trau as the party headed to the Carpenter's cottage.
Seglun headed to the door, knocked and waited as a man opened the door and looked right over Seglun's head.  Seeing Baru, he queried him about his purpose.  When he mentioned the Boyar's hall, the man ushered them quickly into the warm recess of his house.
The room contained two younger women, who slightly resembled Anatoly.  He shooed them out of the room and closed the door behind them.  When asked about building the Boyar's hall he was somewhat reticent in relating information but told the party their was a large hall past the front entry.  Gregor's room was in the middle of the complex.  When Drovic asked about secret passages or entries he said that there were none.  His only advice was to enter by the back door rather than the front, there were usually guards at the front entryway.  Just as quickly he ushered the heroes out of his cabin back into the night, telling them to see Brother Terensky at the church for any information on old legends.
Once back in the night Ralom cast a locate object on his scimitar.  Moving about it was clear that the scimitar lay somewhere to the north probably where the Boyar's hall stood.  As he was moving about locating, Varrid noticed movement behind an abandoned cottage.  With Baru, Seglun, Grunyar and Drovic helping to surround the building they soon came upon the pudgy Pavel.  Baru pinned his arms behind him and they used the shadow of the cottage to interrogate the alehouse keeper. "I was just out for a walk.  I have done nothing wrong." declared the shaking Pavel.
Baru and Ralom continued to question him, telling him they didn't believe he would go on a walk, just look at his girth.. "You never go out for a walk," barked Baru.
The alehouse keeper straightened his shoulders and announced "That is correct!  I have sent word to the Boyar.  Gregor and his boyarsky are already on their way!  You are already dead!!" 
Baru laughed in his face, "Who did you send?  You're wife?  No she would tell you to get to work."
"My daughters, they know the drill," Pavel replied.
Grunyar wanted to kill the poor spy but Mikhail counseled against that.  "No one, including me, will help you if you kill this poor bastard."
Before the group was a ramshackle cabin, overlooking the river and the hall.  "Who lives there," asked Ralom. 
"That is Dvorak the Tanner's place.  He's gone a little 'round the bend," replied Mikhail.  "He was always complaining about the 'vile little devils' on his lawn.
Ralom suggested leaving a bound and gagged Pavel with Dvorak and Seglun moved toward the cabin.  Crossbow blots rained out at her and a voice bellowed, "Get off of my lawn!!"
Seglun backed up a little but Baru and her rushed up to the cottage and in through the door as they convinced him they meant no harm.  Inside the cottage was strewn with vats, tools and hides of a tanner's trade.  Dvorak was an ancient man who's hair and beard were matted messes.  He rambled on about the wolves inside the walls of the Hall. 
The party entered and tied Pavel to a post, leaving him to Dvorak's care.  Ralom asked Dvorak if he had seen anyone or thing leaving the Hall.  "The Boyar came back two days ago with a load of equipment.  He led all the monsters into the Hall," Dvorak shot back, his eyes glazed over.  Arvien had Summergale scout the path from the Hall to the bridge but she reported no movement on the pathway.  Discussion ensued as the group finally determined to head to the rear of the palisade, climb over it and sneak into the back of the Hall.  Without their armor, Ralom at least would be quieter.

DM's Notes:  The party earned 500 XP for the night.  This was awarded for exploration and discovery without raising an alarm.